--- title: "Ghostbusters II: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ghostbusters II (1989): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 12 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics find Ghostbusters II an easy, likeable comedy, and the praise clusters on the cast rather than the plot. Bill Murray’s wisecracking is singled out again and again, with Rick Moranis and the courtroom scene picking up mentions, and one contemporary notice finds it funnier and less extravagant than the original. A run of later reappraisals argues it is far better than its reputation and holds up as a sequel that wisely changes little. The reservations are about exactly that. A clear minority calls it a lazy retread with a convoluted story, a cast going through the motions and cartoonish set pieces, the Statue of Liberty finale chief among them. The spread is wide: the Los Angeles Times finds the climax tops the first film’s, while Collider considers the whole thing a forced remake. The dissent does not split neatly by date; admirers and detractors turn up in both the original notices and the retrospectives. ## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 1989. The review praises the sharp one-liners, meticulous production, and grand finale that tops the first film's classic scene. It notes the original cast returns in strong form with a buoyant score and inspired effects keeping the edge intact. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-16-ca-2110-story.html) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The script is sharp with an eye on children and the film is funny in a harmless way, with strong supporting turns from the cast. It suffers from repetitions of the first film and an uncomfortable attempt to integrate Murray's character into a relationship. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ghostbusters-ii-review/) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 1989. The critic finds the sequel easier to take and funnier than the original, which seemed overproduced and sloppy. It is more modest and less aggressively extravagant while delivering a lively story about negative energy threatening Manhattan. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/16/movies/review-film-citywide-bad-temper-better-call-in-ghostbusters.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1988. The film is described as babyboomer silliness that appeals to kids with its slime and ghosts while adults enjoy the clever dialogue. Bill Murray anchors the central role amid the team's efforts against the new supernatural threat. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1988/film/reviews/ghostbusters-ii-1200427980/) ## Radio Times Rating 3/5. The film sticks closely to the successful formula of the first with bigger effects and strong turns from Murray and Moranis. The script lacks sparkle and offers little that is new despite the high budget. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-q8xglx/ghostbusters-ii/) ## Time Out — CM Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The sequel fails to recapture the energy of the original despite the familiar cast and plot elements. It serves mainly as an excuse for the team to reunite amid a new supernatural threat involving an endangered child. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/ghostbusters-ii) ## Digital Spy — Matthew Turner Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 February 2015. The critic defends the sequel as far better than its reputation and thoroughly enjoyable, replicating the original's blend of humour, scares, thrills and effects while improving on the plot with the River of Slime and Vigo elements. They highlight laugh-out-loud moments, effective shocks like the bathtub scene, and strong character expansion. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a628214/in-defence-of-ghostbusters-2/) ## Den of Geek — Seb Patrick Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2019. The critic argues Ghostbusters II deserves more love than its reputation suggests, calling it clever, funny, and well-characterized with a solid story that holds together. They single out the strong courtroom set-piece and Bill Murray's Venkman material for praise while noting its fresh angles on post-original fame and character development. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/in-defense-of-ghostbusters-ii/) ## Paste — Jim Vorel Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2024. The critic sees Ghostbusters II as a consistently funny and lighthearted extension of the first film that entertains through cast chemistry and familiar gags despite repeating many elements from the original. Contemporary critics were harsher due to sequel fatigue, but the piece argues it holds up as a solid 'if it ain't broke' sequel. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/ghostbusters/ghostbusters-ii-2-retrospective-anniversary-underrated-legacy-sequels) ## /Film — Ethan Anderton Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2024. The ranking calls it a fun but frustrating sequel that recycles successful elements from the first film while adding some new story points, yet it suffers from overly cartoonish execution and ridiculous set pieces like the Statue of Liberty scene. It remains mostly entertaining thanks to the core cast's talents. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1607797/every-ghostbusters-movie-ranked/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2014. The piece describes the film as lazy, flat, and broad compared to the inventive original, though not outright terrible. It notes that its uninspired quality and modest box office performance helped stall further big-screen entries in the franchise for years. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/ghostbusters-ii-at-25-and-10-other-sequels-that-stalled-killed-their-franchises-20140611/) ## Collider — Chris Cabin Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2016. The critic argues the sequel is a lazy, forced remake that lacks the original's enthusiasm and improvisational spark, with a plodding story, convoluted plot, and cast members going through the motions after studio and performer reluctance. [Read the review](https://collider.com/ghostbusters-2-terrible-movie/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii.md