{No compensation was received for this post. I attended a press conference and media screening which facilitated the writing of this post}
As soon as I saw the first trailer for Ghostbusters, I knew that my kids and I would watch the film together, as my father and I did when the original was released over 30 years ago. The reboot stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones as four parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City when supernatural ghostly activity threatens the city. The film is a comedic blend of paranormal excitement and nostalgia, fusing everything you loved about the original film with a brand new origin story. It felt fresh, while paying homage to the film that initiated a longstanding subculture of Ghostbusters superfans.
During a recent press conference, the filmmakers and creative team behind Ghostbusters summed up their thoughts on the film in one word:
Exciting (Katie Dippold), Fun (Paul Feig), Hopeful (Melissa McCarthy), Friendship (Kate McKinnon), Bad-Ass (Leslie Jones), and Joyful (Ivan Reitman) aptly describe the fresh, nostalgic reboot.
But given the excitement and anticipation leading up to the film, including a new line of kids’ toys and Ghostbusters-themed Bitmoji avatar outfits and theme packs, the question begs. Is Ghostbusters kid-friendly?
Fear Factor
My biggest concern as a parent of a 6 and a 9 year old was whether or not the ghosts would be too scary for my kids. The scare factor of the ghosts in the original film was offset by their comedic undertones. By contrast, the ghosts in the new Ghostbusters film are scary, some of which strike a semblance to demons. While there is enough comedy to offset the fear factor, I recommend exercising caution when deciding whether or not to introduce young children to the film.
Violence Factor
The violence in this particular film is most often seen in the paranormal. From the ghosts’ terrorizing the citizens of New York City to the Ghostbusters’ scientific ghost-catching techniques, the violence never crosses the line of human brutality.
Comedy Central
There are moments in the film that are so funny, you’ll find yourself teary-eyed. Unfortunately (or in some instances fortunately), younger kids won’t fully get or appreciate the humor. The ensemble consists of some of the funniest female comedians in the industry, and while much of the humor is clean, there are moments I hoped my kids didn’t ask me about.
Say What?
The film is rated PG-13, and as such, you can expect to find some moderate profanity throughout. I advise exercising prudence when bringing younger children to the film.
Ghostbusters offers just the right amount of excitement and paranormal activity to keep you invested in the story without taking itself too seriously. It also pays tribute to its origins with enough cameos to inspire a re-watch of the original fim. Tweens and teens are the ideal age of introduction to the franchise, but younger, more mature kids like my son may be able to appreciate the ghostly humor that abounds.
See Ghostbusters in theaters nationwide.
You can also continue all of the paranormal excitement by downloading our free Ghostbusters printables.
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