When someone asks you if you’re a god, you say yes! Well, you might not be a god, but if you’re a fan of the Ghostbusters films and animated series, you’re certainly part of a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. From the moment the original movie hit theaters in 1984, the Ghostbusters franchise has become iconic, inspiring sequels, animated shows, and even a reboot. With its mix of comedy, horror, and sci-fi, Ghostbusters has carved out its own unique niche in the entertainment world.
But what is it that makes Ghostbusters so special? Is it the memorable characters, the ingenious gadgets, or the thrilling supernatural adventures? Perhaps it’s the catchy theme song that never fails to get stuck in your head. Or maybe it’s the combination of all these elements, masterfully blended together to create a franchise that has stood the test of time. Regardless of the reason, one thing is for certain: Ghostbusters has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Join me as we embark on a spirited journey through the Ghostbusters films and animated series, delving into the stories, characters, and impact that this beloved franchise has had on the world. So, strap on your proton pack, and let’s get ready to bust some ghosts!
The Original Ghostbusters Film: A Breakdown
The film that started it all, Ghostbusters (1984) was directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The movie stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as the titular Ghostbusters, a team of eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. With their trusty proton packs and ghost traps, they set out to rid the city of its paranormal pests, eventually facing off against the ancient, malevolent deity Gozer the Gozerian.
The original Ghostbusters film is often praised for its perfect blend of humor, action, and spookiness. The witty banter between the characters, particularly Bill Murray’s Dr. Peter Venkman, adds levity to the supernatural proceedings, while the inventive ghost-catching technology and thrilling action sequences keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The film’s special effects, including the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, were groundbreaking for their time and still hold up remarkably well today.
One of the most memorable aspects of the original Ghostbusters film is its unforgettable theme song, penned and performed by Ray Parker Jr. With its catchy chorus of “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” and its funky, infectious melody, the song became an instant hit and remains synonymous with the franchise to this day. The movie’s success led to a sequel, animated series, and a lasting impact on popular culture that continues to resonate with fans old and new.
Ghostbusters II
Five years after the success of the first film, the original cast and crew reunited for Ghostbusters II (1989), once again directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. This time, the Ghostbusters are called back into action to save New York City from a new supernatural threat: an ancient, malevolent spirit named Vigo the Carpathian, who seeks to return to life by possessing the body of a human child.
While Ghostbusters II didn’t quite capture the same magic as the original, it still offered plenty of laughs, thrilling ghost-busting action, and memorable moments. One standout sequence involves the Ghostbusters using their proton packs to bring the Statue of Liberty to life, controlling it with an NES Advantage joystick in a bid to save the city from Vigo’s evil influence.
Though it received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, Ghostbusters II remains a beloved part of the franchise’s history, serving as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Ghostbusters concept and characters. And, of course, it wouldn’t be the last time we’d see our favorite paranormal investigators in action.
The Animated Series
Capitalizing on the success of the first film, the Ghostbusters franchise expanded into the world of animation with the debut of The Real Ghostbusters in 1986. This animated series followed the continuing adventures of Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Raymond Stantz, Dr. Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore as they battled ghosts and other supernatural entities in New York City and beyond. The show also introduced fan-favorite characters such as Slimer, the mischievous green ghost who becomes the mascot, and Janine Melnitz, the team’s sassy secretary.
The Real Ghostbusters was notable for its high-quality animation, engaging stories, and clever humor, which made it appealing to both children and adults. The show was so successful that it ran for seven seasons and spawned several comic book series, video games, and a vast array of merchandise. In 1997, the franchise returned to the small screen with Extreme Ghostbusters, a sequel series that introduced a new, younger team mentored by an older Egon Spengler. Though it only lasted for one season, Extreme Ghostbusters maintained the franchise’s tradition of great animation and entertaining storytelling.
Both The Real and Extreme Ghostbusters played a significant role in cementing the franchise’s place in popular culture, introducing the concept to a new generation of fans and keeping the ghost-catching spirit alive throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Reboot: The 2016 Film
In 2016, the franchise received a fresh start with a reboot directed by Paul Feig and starring an all-female team of Ghostbusters, played by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. This new film, simply titled Ghostbusters, offered a modern twist on the classic formula, with the new team facing off against a malevolent spirit named Rowan who sought to unleash a paranormal apocalypse on New York City.
Though the 2016 film received mixed reviews and sparked controversy among some fans, it nevertheless showcased the enduring appeal of the franchise’s core concept and introduced the world of ghost-catching to a new generation of viewers. The film also featured cameos from the original cast members, paying tribute to the franchise’s history while paving the way for a new era of supernatural adventures.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife – The Latest Installment
In 2021, the Ghostbusters legacy continued with the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a direct sequel to the original two films. Directed by Jason Reitman, son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, the film follows a new generation of characters as they discover their connection to the original team and face off against a new supernatural threat.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife has been praised for its nostalgic callbacks to the original films, as well as its heartfelt story and engaging characters. Featuring appearances from the surviving original cast members, the film serves as both a loving tribute to the franchise’s past and a promising new chapter in its ongoing story.
The Legacy of Ghostbusters Films and Animated Series
From the moment the original film burst onto the scene in 1984, the franchise has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, spawning sequels, animated series, and even a reboot. The enduring appeal of the films and animated series lies in their unique blend of humor, horror, and sci-fi, as well as their memorable characters, inventive ghost-catching technology, and unforgettable theme song.
As we look back on the legacy of the Ghostbusters franchise, it’s clear that these paranormal investigators have left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring generations of fans to strap on their proton packs and join the fight against the supernatural. So, the next time you find yourself faced with a ghostly apparition, you know exactly who to call: Ghostbusters! The franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, with its memorable characters, gadgets, and supernatural adventures resonating with fans old and new. Whether you’re a fan of the original films, the animated series, or the recent reboot and sequel, there’s no denying the impact that Ghostbusters has had on popular culture.
With Ghostbusters: Afterlife released in 2021, there’s no telling where the franchise will go next. But one thing is for sure: the legacy of the Ghostbusters films and animated series will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll all have our own proton packs and be able to catch ghosts ourselves.
In conclusion, Ghostbusters is more than just a franchise. It’s a cultural touchstone that has inspired generations of fans and left an indelible mark on popular culture. From its iconic characters and gadgets to its memorable theme song and catchphrases, Ghostbusters has earned its place in the pantheon of great entertainment franchises. So, the next time you’re feeling spooked, just remember: Who you gonna call?
Dear readers, the time has come for some answers. At least, that’s what the teaser for the new installment of Monastery says. As usual, it delivers what it promised and more as we untangle the past and its connection to the present. Without any further ado, let’s talk about it, shall we?
Plot
We start the episode with a blast from the past. Cassandra and Celeste (Nicole’s aunt and Arthur’s lover for those with short-term memory) are in the hospital because of Celeste’s pregnancy complications. Cassandra promises her former best friend that she will ruin her all the while we find out Francis’s real parentage. The picture is finally starting to come together.
As we are back in the present day, our group is more scattered than ever. Thomas is his father Walt’s prisoner while David is still running around looking for Rocky. Fred on the other hand is just looking for any place to crash, homelessness and all. Our dethroned beauty queen Nicole is hiding away from everything – including her shame. Last but not least, little Henry is spending his time taking care of Nana Beth. Guessing that is his redemption for trashing all the evidence of Albert’s murder gathered so far. Although frustrating, his actions are understandable – the poor kid is traumatized and just wants some peace.
George Turner’s murder is still an active investigation. It is obvious that this cover-up wasn’t nearly as successful as Albert’s. I sure as hell hope that Francis gets his comeuppance sooner rather than later. Not particularly because Turner didn’t deserve it but so the rest of the characters would be safe from him. Although as I’ve said before, his clear descent into sociopathic tendencies is kind of fascinating to watch.
We also get an interesting development in what so far has been a tiny background detail, which is the Monastery Werewolf. As the creature comes to visit Rocky, we find out our resident star dog considers it family. Not going to lie, it took me a few reads to understand what this means. Now I’m getting all sorts of ideas as to how the supernatural ties into the rest of the story.
Speaking of the supernatural, it is none other than Madame Witch who frees Thomas from his captivity. Well, her contribution is indirect as she sends his best friend Alfie to help instead. Although I’d say currently the two should set their dynamic status to ‘it’s complicated’. As soon as he’s free, Thomas is immediately back in his detective mode. For arguably the first time he gets some real answers as we find out the whole backstory of Albert/Celeste/Cassandra triangle. I won’t go into details as that trio deserve their own article but let’s just say it gives Cassandra a big ass motive for killing her husband. Not to mention the way she took Francis from Celeste was quite brutal to read.
We reach the lead-on for the grand finale as David and Henry are coming to free Rocky. This naturally comes with a condition – they must hand Francis the key they found during the investigation. Little do they know Nicole is already there being held at gunpoint. Oh, and Fred should also be around somewhere as he was sleeping there the night before. Thomas might be a little late to the party since he and Alfie are held a knifepoint by Rick (seems like a running theme here). Nothing good can come from this.
Overall thoughts
This episode does a perfect job of setting up the big finale. It reveals everything we need to know except the main question – who killed Albert? At this point, while it of course still matters, this story is so much more than that. It’s about all the mess that this family has got themselves into, how with each mistake they kept digging deeper, and how it took a whole new generation for all of that to come up to the surface. I can only hope our investigative gang will make it out alive…
(5 / 5)
More thoughts from the author:
1. Although a minor character in comparison, Walt strikes me as someone who’s there to represent the themes of Monastery – someone who will do horrible things in the name of family. What was your intention with his characterisation, especially considering he works for justice (aka the police?)
This is why I will always defend my decision to have a large cast, as opposed to most books – when you get even the slightest sense of fleshing out a minor character, it feels so rewarding. Walt, to me, takes the crown of “father of the year”, even if he does it by locking his son up in the bedroom. He is protecting his wife’s secret, protecting his son’s innocence, and doing so by going against his core ideals – i.e., a detective covering up a murder. He’s also based on a favourite uncle of mine, so it makes me happy to give him his moment to shine.
2. Something I thought of while writing this review – the cover up of George Turner’s murder seems to be a kind of juxtaposition as to how neatly Albert’s was since the police keep discovering evidence left and right (and how Francis doesn’t particularly seem to care). Was this intentional on your part?
It all adds up to plot convenience, and I have no shame in admitting that – Albert’s murder was so neatly covered up because I needed it to go unsolved for 14 years, whereas the reader knows who killed George, so there is no need for the cover-up to be well done.
As for Francis’ reaction to the murder, he started out anxious and paranoid after the fact, but he has grown into a state of not caring, which further depicts his descent into darkness – he knows he’s close to his goal (of finding the money and leaving his family), so there is a sense of invincibility taking over. He is stepping into his main villain energy and we are here for it!
3. Alfie has been yet another background character until now and yet he is the one who rescues Thomas. To me he seems like the friend who genuinely cares for Thomas and who gives him that reality check he sometimes needs to get out of his own head. Was that at least partially why you chose to bring him in for the grand finale?
Fun fact: Alfie was originally a series regular. However, halfway through writing the series, I realised I wasn’t using him as much as I’d wanted to, so I bumped him down to recurring. But the original plan always saw him and the other regulars coming together for the big climax, which is why he is in the fold. Alfie is someone who keeps Thomas grounded (if not humbled), since Thomas has the slight tendency to, well, think he’s better than everyone else. What’s coming up for them is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever written about.
4. Lastly, it’s not so much a question but rather a well done for how you crafted the Albert-Celeste-Cassandra dynamic! I was very invested despite knowing the outcome. Weirdly enough, while hating Cassandra for how she handled it, I sort of understood why she thought that Celeste deserved it? Either way, congrats for managing to craft these love stories in the midst of all the murdery goodness.
Thank you so much. As I’ve said before, romance is not my strong suit, but I do love a soapy triangle – and if it ends with gun violence, even better! The reveal of this mystery is probably my favourite sequence in the series so far.
Episode two of Amazon Prime’s Fallout was equal parts funny and bloody. This almost always leads to a good time.
The story
We begin this episode with the birth of some puppies that look like they’ve had a rough start to life. Each one is weighed, with the ones who fall short being incinerated.
One pup who is just below the correct weight gets a bit of a thumb on their scale. The scientist weighing them, Wilzig, writes down the proper weight. He later takes the puppy home to raise instead of putting them into what looks like an unforgiving training program.
Eventually, we see Wilzig put some blue glowing thing into his neck. When a soldier comes for him, Dog attacks the soldier, and the two escape.
We go from there to the wilderness, where Lucy is recovering from the last episode and enjoying a campfire at night. Wilzig and Dog come out of the shadows, saving Lucy from a bug monster. Wilzig tells Lucy she should go home. And if she’s not going to go home, she needs to evolve.
The next day Lucy finds her way to a town called Filly. As a Pennsylvanian, it hurts me to spell it that way. Lucy is entranced by this town, though clearly put off by the fact that no one is very nice here.
She eventually finds her way to a shop run by a delightful woman named Ma June. Ma doesn’t seem particularly interested in helping Lucy. Or, frankly, having Lucy in her shop.
Or in her town.
Eventually, Wilzig is tracked to this same shop, being tracked by The Ghoul. This is our final primary character. Lucy defends Wilzig, being aided at the last moment by Maximus.
Maximus, by the way, has been having a terrible time. After finally becoming a squire he’s disappointed to find that his knight, Knight Titus, is a terrible person.
Fortunately, Maximus doesn’t have to put up with Titus for long. After Titus gets the bright idea to go hunting, he’s attacked by a mutated bear. Maximus freezes, unable to save him. Then, well, he decides not to save him.
It was Titus’s idea to go hunt the bear, after all.
What worked
The first thing I want to draw attention to is the shootout scene at Filly. This scene checked every box a fight scene should check. It was fun to watch, with great effects. But it also gave us insight into the characters. Lucy is a decent fighter and has a strong moral compass. The Ghoul is callus and desensitized to death. And Maximus continues to be, well, sort of bad at this whole fighting thing. But with enough moral fortitude that we have a hard time blaming him.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the dog. Who’s name, as far as I’ve been able to ascertain, is just Dog. Which is fine. He doesn’t need to have a name to be a very good boy. He’s sweet, loyal, and fearless.
Also, puppies. Puppies are always great.
Finally, I’d like to shine a spotlight on Lucy’s reaction to the world at large. She is both amazed and terrified by everything. And while she certainly doesn’t want to be rude, she also doesn’t want to be taken advantage of. The best example of this is when she stops to ask for directions with a bright smile and a gun.
Once again, I don’t have anything bad to say about this episode. It was funny, dark, and fun to watch. I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the season.
(4 / 5)
Continuing our AI journey from last time exploring Little Red Riding Hood herself as the Big Bad Wolf… All of these are based upon the AI generated art and prompts using NightCafe and then created as posters in Canva.
How very… Phantom of the Opera predatory… this is definitely not what I had in mind. Maybe something more cutesy?
Ugh. Maybe not.
Wow, that seems like such a cop out, cropping off the head so you don’t have to depict it. And I don’t want to lose the Little Red Riding Hood reference completely.
So no surprise there, I knew that was too many references to work.
And we continued to devolve, join us again next week for the final installment to see how this ended… And again, if you want to catch the last AI art journey, you can find it on Haunted MTL here. To see more such devolutions into AI generated art, check out the Will the Real Jennifer Weigel Please Stand Up? blog.
