It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the spectre-smashing parapsychologists took the world by storm. In the quarter of a century since cinema screens the world over were lit up by proton packs and ghost traps, we’ve had a sequel, multiple TV series, a ton of toys and games, and now we’re eagerly anticipating the forthcoming computer game while trying to keep abreast of industry murmurings about a third Ghostbusters movie outing. Yes, it seems everyone is still fascinated by the antic of Dr. Peter Venkman and his cohorts. As such, there really could be no better time to revisit the stunning original in high definition.
For the two people in the world that haven’t already seen the film, it’s about a trio of parapsychology lecturers who get laid off by their university. Deciding to put the research they’ve gathered to good use, they form a team of ghost exterminators and aim to clean up the streets of NYC from all manners of otherworldly nasties.
Thanks to memorable performances from everyone involved, some superb comedy sequences and a veritable banquet of special effects - which still hold up even by today’s standards - it’s no surprise that everyone is still going nuts for anything that’s even remotely Ghostbusters related. But will anyone bother with the Blu-ray considering that most fans will no doubt have it already on DVD?
Upon its first release, the 15th Anniversary DVD of Ghostbusters was a corker. Featuring more quality extras than you can shake a shitty stick at, it’s not an outlandish statement to say that it set the standard for DVD. Well funnily enough, history has repeated itself here.
Bursting at the slime-encrusted seams, the Blu-ray disc boasts everything that was featured on previous releases and then an abundance of new loot. On top of the old featurettes and deleted scenes, the high def disc features such goodies as the ‘Slimer Mode’ video commentary. Featuring pop-up trivia as well as retrospective interviews with pretty much everyone that was involved with the film’s production, its much, much more than a bog-standard audio commentary. Speaking of which, you also get a standard yak track on the disc anyway. Elsewhere, there’s a retrospective look at the Ghostbuster’s revamped hearse – Ecto-1 – some featurettes (both old and new) and a bevy of other stuff that simply can’t be ignored, even if you do have the DVD.
In terms of picture quality, it’s not absolutely jaw dropping, but it’s still a vast improvement on its standard definition counterpart. While some scenes are noticeably grainy, the blacks never bleed and the colours stand out vibrantly. Naturally, this bodes well for the film’s characteristically bright special effects. The only real issue is that it’s not the sharpest transfer in the world. Then again, that actually goes towards helping the movie maintain its nostalgic charm.
As for the sound, the True HD soundtrack does wonders to create a subtle atmosphere, thanks to its brilliant reproduction of Elmer Bernstein eclectic score. In terms of surround sound performance, the track won’t blow you away but then it’s nothing to sniff at either.
In all it’s a fantastic disc that showcases what the format has to offer. Grab it immediately, even if you already own the DVD, as you won’t be disappointed. All together now, “If there’s something strange, in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call?”
Overall Verdict: A ghoulishly good package that’s well worth the upgrade from SD.
Special Features:
Slimer Mode: Picture-in-Picture Track
Cinechat
Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car
Making of Ghostbusters - The Video Game
Ghostbusters Garage: Ecto-1 Gallery
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Preview
Audio Commentary With Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis & Joe Medjuck
Deleted Scenes
1984 Making-Of Featurette
Cast and Crew Featurette
SFX Team Documentary
SFX Before & After (Multi-Angles Shots)
Storyboard Split-Screen Compare
Deleted Scenes
Factoid Track
Reviewer: Jordan Brown