Ghostbusters: Answer the Call parents guide

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call Parent Guide

Unlike some past performances from Wiig and McCarthy, this movie is surprisingly light on sexual innuendo and suggestive language.

Overall B+

Columbia Pictures is calling on the Ghostbusters again, in this remake of the 1984 movie. This time the supernatural super heroes are played by females! Look for Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, plus some cameos from some of the original film stars.

Release date July 15, 2016

Violence C+
Sexual Content B
Profanity C-
Substance Use A-

Why is Ghostbusters: Answer the Call rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Ghostbusters: Answer the Call PG-13 for supernatural action and some crude humor.

Run Time: 116 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

As Dr. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) anxiously awaits the news that she has been granted tenure at the prestigious university where she teaches, she becomes haunted by her past in the form of a book she co-wrote early in her career. Knowing “real scientists” don’t believe in the super natural, Dr. Gilbert seeks out her former friend, paranormal researcher Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), in an attempt to keep the book quiet before her career is ruined. Despite their icy reunion, the two past pals, along with engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), agree to check out the sighting of an apparition in the historic Aldridge Mansion in Manhattan. There the three brave investigators see the spirit of the dead woman, who seems peaceful and beautiful. But the poltergeist quickly shows her true colors and spews green, slimy ectoplasm all over Erin. That is all it takes to pull the serious scientist back into the world of paranormal exploration and a new squad of Ghostbusters is born.

The cast is rounded off by Leslie Jones as sassy Patty Tolan, who joins the team, bringing with her all the knowledge she has of New York’s history. Chris Hemsworth is a delight as Kevin, the eye candy/ditsy receptionist. The young man is maddeningly inept, yet because he is so pretty he gets the job. The gang even comes with an updated version of the iconic Ghostbusters’ mode of transportation: a converted funeral hearse called the Ecto-1.

Although the movie has its fair share of supernatural foes, the main antagonist is a human. Disgruntled hotel employee Rowan North (Neil Casey) is ready to exact revenge on the world as payback for years of being bullied. He has devised a way to unleash an army of evil spirits to take down the Big Apple.

Some of the apparitions are cartoonish in appearance, like Slimer and the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man who are recognizable from the original movie. Others border on ghoulish and demonic. Their bony faces and jagged teeth seem to jump out at the audience and will certainly be frightening for young children. Even the specter from the Ghostbusters’ logo comes to “life,” first as a benign character, then as a giant, twisted version of itself that could almost compare to the clown from Stephen King’s It.

The movie touches on the battle for acceptance for who we are, and not what the world says we should be. Even though Rowan goes to extremes when planning his vengeance, he is defeated in the end reminding us that violence isn’t the best way to resolve a conflict. As well, it is refreshing to see the female characters in this film portrayed in a positive light. Instead of constantly using curse words and vulgarity, these women are, for the most part, intelligent and articulate. At least three of them are depicted as having achieved a high level of education and all four are shown as capable and confident. Although Patty was fun to watch and brought a lot humorto the storyline, it would be refreshing to see a black character written as something other than the stereotypical street smart, wisecracking comedic relief.

Unlike some past performances from Wiig and McCarthy, this movie is surprisingly light on sexual innuendo and suggestive language. Very reminiscent of the 1986 Ghostbusters movie, this film is filled with witty rapport and some tipping of the hat to the original plot and characters. Annie Potts, Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver each have cameos so make sure you stay to the very end of the credits so you don’t miss anyone. Best suited for ‘tweens to adults, this remake will likely play well to those old enough to say (and mean), ” I ain’t afraid of no ghosts”.

Directed by Paul Feig. Starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones . Running time: 116 minutes. Theatrical release July 15, 2016. Updated

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call
Rating & Content Info

Why is Ghostbusters: Answer the Call rated PG-13? Ghostbusters: Answer the Call is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for supernatural action and some crude humor.

Violence: Frequent scenes in this movie depict ghosts attacking people, resulting in many being thrown, choked, hit and subjected to other bodily harm and threats. Humans try to confine and eliminate the paranormal beings using fantastical “ray gun” weapons. A character is electrocuted. A brief depiction of suicide is seen. In two instances ghosts inhabit bodies of the living—one is shown in contorted positions with a head that turns completely around. Some of the specters may be frightening to young audiences—one appears as a large dragon-type bird that can fly, another is a human that spews ectoplasm (a slimly substance), while others are more cartoon-like. Although the violence does not include blood effects, some superficial injuries are portrayed. Police are assaulted in one scene. A discussion occurs about people being turned inside out.

Sexual Content: The screenplay includes a few instances of brief, veiled sexual innuendo, crude content, scatological remarks and a flatulence joke.

Language: The script features infrequent use of scatological slang, profanity, cursing and vulgar expressions. As well, infrequent terms of Christian deity are used as expletives.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Brief social drinking is seen.

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Ghostbusters: Answer the Call Parents' Guide

How can parents approach the subject of bullying in a way that empowers children to confidently stand up for themselves without accidentally encouraging them to also become a bully?

In the movie, there is a stereotypical “dumb blonde” type receptionist. Yes, it is a twist to see the eye candy be a man, but it does beg the question… Are we really still living in a world where the underlying message is that what you look like is the most important thing? If you are considered attractive (male or female), do you think that will get you further ahead than others? How should we talk to children about physical beauty? How might we promote the value of inner beauty, intelligence, self-confidence and self-worth instead of just good looks?

News About "Ghostbusters: Answer the Call"

From the Studio:
Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today - Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they're here to save the world!
- Written by Sony Pictures Entertainment

More About the Movie:
Dan Aykroyd, who starred in the 1984 version of this film, is one of the writers of the script for the remake.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Ghostbusters: Answer the Call movie is October 11, 2016. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Ghostbusters
Release Date: 11 October 2016
The 2016 version of Ghostbusters is being released to home video under the title Ghostbusters: Answer the Call.  Special features are as follows: 
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (4K UHD/Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray & Digital)
- Theatrical Version (117 minutes)
- Extended Edition (133 minutes)
- 2 Hysterically Haunting Gag Reels
- 4 Unearthed deleted scenes
- 11 Totally Possessed Alternate Scenes and more than 60 minutes of additional extended and alternate scenes with Ultraviolet download
- 6 Jokes-A-Plenty alternate take reels
- 5 Supernatural Featurettes: Chris Hemsworth is Kevin, The Ghosts of Ghostbusters, Meet the Team, Visual Effects: 30 Years Later and Slime Time.
- Filmmaker Commentaries
- Photo Gallery
Note: Digital Extras only available with iTunes
 
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (DVD)
- 3 Spectral Making-of Featurettes: Meet the Team, Visual Effects: 30 Years Later and Slime Time.
- Filmmaker Commentaries
- Jokes A Plenty: Free for All
- Photo Gallery

Related home video titles:

This movie is a remake of the 1984 classic Ghostbusters. Melissa McCarthy and Bill Murray also appear together in the movie St. Vincent. Kristen Wiig can be seen in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. And Chris Hemsworth is well known for his portrayal of Thor.

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