Filmation’s Ghostbusters – Volume One (Animated/1980s)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B-
As a
recent addition to the 1980s animation television library, Filmation’s Ghostbusters: Volume One is now available on DVD. The animated series was loosely based on the
1970’s live action television series The
Ghostbusters. This volume contains
32 of the 65 total episodes the series ran for in its 3 season run. Filmation’s
Ghostbusters is often confused with Columbia Pictures animated series The Real Ghostbusters, which was based
on the popular 1980s Ghostbusters films
that starred Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. There
actually was a quite extensive legal battle over the name rights of the series
and film, which is too complicated to get in to but let’s just say it was
ghastly. The two series have their own
merits and are both uniquely distinct. Filmation’s Ghostbusters centers on the
sons (Jake and Eddie) of the original Ghostbusters
from the 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.
Not only
does the series maintain a constant sense of humor and manages 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 6 Discs in 3 slim cases. Also included (as BCI always does) is an
excellent 7 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.
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. 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 picture issues that surround most 1980s
animated series (and many live action series as well) is that studios simply
did not take good care of their film and cel masters. The 1980’s had an explosion of TV series that
only lasted a few seasons, where as in past years (70s) many shows may have
been running for as much as 9 (Little
House on the Prairie), 11 (M*A*S*H),
or even 20 seasons (Gunsmoke)!
With the
1980s containing so many series, studios did not see the worth in properly
storing many video masters; never expecting anyone would ever want to own
entire television series. Moving along,
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
pretty darn good. The extra features
include Creator Interviews that give much insight into the series, a Ghostbusters
anti-drug TV spot, the series promo pilot that is definitely fun to see
as a how the series evolved, Storyboard slideshow for episode 22 (a little
boring), and image galleries. Also found
on this set an exclusive BONUS EPISODE of The
Ghostbusters Live Action Series that is very interesting. Overall, a nice set.
This
reviewer personally loves all the 1980s animated series BCI is releasing; if
they keep this up 80’s animation fans will have a full and practically complete
DVD library. LET’S GO, GHOSTBUSTERS!
- Michael P Dougherty II
