Movie comedies rarely lead to funny sequels. Take Ghostbusters, whose blockbuster success in 1984 led to Ghostbusters II five years later. Critics, fans and, reportedly, some of the cast felt let down by the result.
That hasn't stopped admirers of the original – including a new generation of fans who weren't born when it came out – from hoping for another sequel. And after all these years, original Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd is saying a third feature film could begin shooting this year.
To whet your appetite, there's Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Its developer, Terminal Reality, has accomplished something Hollywood hasn't been able to do in 20 years, reuniting the four core members of the cast: Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Okay, we're talking about animated versions of the characters, but the actors did provide their voices.
The game is set two years after the events of Ghostbusters II, so the guys all look the way they would have in 1991. Once again, New York City is under siege by a wave of supernatural spirits; some familiar (the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man for instance), and some new.
The story is surprisingly clever, and there's nice banter among the Busters as they vacuum up Manhattan's wraiths. Murray's delivery is somewhat blase, but the rest of the cast, including newcomer Alyssa Milano, dives enthusiastically into this.
Your character, simply called Rookie, is a new recruit to the team, but Dr Egon Spengler (Ramis) has outfitted you with all the latest ghost-hunting gear. Your main weapon is your proton pack. It certainly isn't your typical video game weapon, but after a few battles it begins to feel natural. Still, the initial challenge of controlling it may scare off less adventurous gamers.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game doesn't capture the magic of the original film. Still, unlike most movie tie-ins, it feels like an affectionate tribute rather than a cynical attempt to cash in.
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