It's embarrassing to admit for a studio, yet this new "Deluxe Gift Set" actually has FEWER special features. The discs come in separate slim line cases, crammed in the box with a short yet enjoyable booklet. If you can manage to remove all of this viewing without damaging everything, congratulations. You've just performed a miracle.
The video commentary, the most enjoyable aspect on the initial release, is included. Unfortunately, someone thought it would be nice to remove the video portion. The three speakers used to be super-imposed as silhouettes (think Mystery Science Theater), just not on this new set. The commentary itself is the same.
There are two special effects featurettes, one running 10-minutes, the other around 15. Also included is a 1984 promotional feature. Certain cast members look back at the film in their own words, including Reitman and Ramis. There are also a few multi-angle special effects features. This was all including originally.
What's missing then? Subtitled production notes that ran along with the movie, trailers, and a trivia game. The menus are the same for the most part, with less audio. It's much easier to navigate this time out. (**)
Considering Ghostbusters 2 didn't have anything attached to it, anything is an improvement. The pan & scan version has been cut (thankfully), and two episodes of the animated series based off the films is included. One is The Real Ghostbusters and the other is Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters. These two episodes pick up right after each of the films. The menu was lazily re-done to match up with the first film, just replacing Stay Puft with the walking Statue of Liberty. (**)
The question then, is this set worth the price? Considering it can be found for less than $15, certainly. If you own the originals, it's only beneficial if you're dying to see the cartoon series again (could this be a testing ground for the entire series?), or you're a video and audiophile. The extra booklet included, while nice, doesn't make the set feel any more necessary.
*Side note: The cover box claims the original film is pan & scan. It's not. That's a really obvious typo someone in the editing department will likely lose their job over.
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Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
I snatched this up right quick. I had previously gotten the original off the cheap rack at Walmart. I consider this a definite upgrade based on the improved transfers of both films, plus I got it for $12, 6 bucks per is good deal, and doesn't really strike me as an obvious cash in, this could have easily gone for 20-25. ANyway, I am glad to have snagged it, and don't mine the loss of the video portion of the commentary, although I would have liked the trailers....
2 - Matt Paprocki
I'm sure they wouldn't have released it if they didn't have cash involved, regardless of the sticker price. I agree the price is right, but for those people who run their DVD players through a RF modulator, they have no reason to get this set other than the cartoons. I'm still trying to get over that there are less features this time out. Disturbing.
3 - Chris Beaumont
True. I got it primarily for the improved transfers, plus I never got part 2. I wasn't going to get it, until I saw how cheap it was.
4 - Tan The Man
You'll definitely see more double dipping with DVDs until the next generation DVDs come out.
5 - RC
Yeah I have noticed alot of double dipping too. What I wonder is how big this UMD thing is going to blow up. Especially with my extensive DVD collection. That is all I need to do is start over with a differnet format.
6 - Lanny D. Crepit
*While I'm *more than* elated with just about anything Ghostbusters that comes off the conveyor belt, I was kinda dissapointed with this...Owning the first two Dvd's, and a first-generation VHS of the old 1989 "Criterion Collection" LaserDisc, I was expecting alittle bit more from Columbia/Sony this time around...
As a "Ghosbusters Archivist" (Yes, now you know such a thing exists), I have been exposed to literally an entire WORLD of material that could have EASILY been included in this boxset...First thing that springs to mind is *deleted scenes*...There were at least 3-4 more (For the first film) that were never-before included on ANY home video version of this movie...And don't even get me started on the deleted scenes from the second installment...Even I have yet to see those in their full form and glory...Tv Spots, Radio Spots (They *do* exist), a poster gallery, et all could have been included, and while not knocking the sheer awesomeness of the 1999 Dvd's, and the aforementioned Laserdisc, they could have upped the anty for this release...Hell, they could have included Ray Parker Jr.'s video for "Ghostbusters", EITHER version (The original and VH1 "pop-up" version)...
Alas, I could go on about this for hours, and while I like the upgraded menu, addition of "The Real Ghostbusters" eps on Disc two (GBII), and even the nifty Stay Puft "Antenna Topper" that came with the "pre-ordered" version of this set, I wanted more, and they failed...
*Not miserably, but close enough...
*Cheers.
-Lanny - Richmond, Va