Filmation’s Ghostbusters – Volume Two (BCI Eclipse)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B-
Finishing
up where Volume One left off, Filmation’s Ghostbusters: Volume Two
finishes up the series and is now available on DVD for all to enjoy. The
animated series that was loosely based on the 1975 live action television
series The Ghost Busters (reviewed
elsewhere on this site). This second volume set finishes the series
collection, containing the last 33 episodes of the 65 total episodes the series
ran for in its 3 season run. This particular Ghostbusters series is distinct from the other 1980s series based
on the Bill Murray/Dan Aykroyd film, both of
two series have their own merits and are both uniquely distinct. The
Second Volume of Filmation’s
Ghostbusters once again centers on the sons (Jake and Eddie) of the
original Ghostbusters from that 1975
live action series as well as their furry counterpart Tracy the Gorilla, who
also appeared with their fathers in the original live action series. The
series also stars a strong willed news reporter named Jessica and a time
hopping female ghost named Futura, who both bring flare to the series.
Not only do the boys hop through time and capture every ghost that comes in
their path, but they always regroup at their Haunted House headquarters.
The series is very interesting and really stands the test of time as a fun and
innovative animated series.
The
Second Volume is seamless with Volume
One in that it has no down or boring moments. The series was not on the air long enough to
go bad and as is seen with many Filmation ventures the series is creative and
intriguing. Throughout its amazing 65
episode run, Ghostbusters was always
fun and artistically driven. The series
maintains a constant sense of humor while managing to captivate audiences of
all ages, but each episode always ended with a positive message. Though
the messages are often corny and a bit much, nevertheless the messages
portrayed are a true and strong testament to that great 1980s flash we all
love.
The
series comes in a nice cardboard slipcase with 5 Discs in 3 slim cases.
Also included (as BCI always does) is an excellent 6 page booklet explaining
each episode and the special feature included in the set. The booklet
even goes a little above and beyond in that under each episode description
there is a tid-bit of episode trivia that is very refreshing. This trivia
could range from “this episode was inspired from…” too “In the original
script…,” no matter what being fun. Also
from reading the plethora of trivia it is noticeable that Ghostbusters took many elements from the He-Man series (reviewed elsewhere on this site).
The
technical features on this Filmation Classic Series are quite good. The
picture is in the original aspect ratio of a 1.33 X 1 Full Screen. The
picture remains clear, crisp, and color balanced throughout surprisingly; since
many 1980s series have just fallen apart beyond repair. BCI studios has
been putting out of a plethora of great 1980s animated series but they often
contain light/dark issues, off balance color, and a ton of debris, by no fault
of BCI.
The DVD’s
sound is presented in a simple Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo that is clear for the
most part but does occasionally sound distant. The extras, as on most BCI
animated sets, are scarily good. The extra features again include Creator
Interviews that give much insight into the series, a Ghostbusters anti-drug TV
spot #4, the series unaired 1985 presentation [Rare Footage], image galleries,
and much more. Also found on this set an exclusive BONUS EPISODE of The
Ghostbusters Live Action Series that is very interesting; it even features
Forrest Tucker as ‘Kong.’ A nice way to finish up a great series set.
This
reviewer personally loves all the 1980s animated series BCI is releasing; if
they keep this up 80s animation fans will have a full and practically complete
DVD library. LET’S GO,
GHOSTBUSTERS!
-
Michael P Dougherty II
