"This slime is positively charged - he'll wake up feeling like a million bucks."
WARNING: Spoilers are unmarked.
- The movie opening up with Dana asking the landlord to help her with her groceries. In a place like New York, it wouldn't normally be his problem, but all the same, he generously offers a helping hand. If anything, this foreshadows the movie's Central Theme of good will vs. ill will.
- The fact that Dana, despite her bitter breakup with Peter, retains close friendships with Egon, Ray, and Winston. She even gives Egon a peck on the cheek after their meeting and gives Ray a hug when he, Egon, and Peter come to her apartment.
- In and out of canon, the Ghostbusters, using the uplifting energy of the song "Higher and Higher" and a copious amount of latent positive-charged mood slime, bring the Statue of Liberty to life and command her to shatter the armor of hate that Vigo encased the museum in. The sight is so inspiring that it unites the normally cynical and hateful New Yorkers, and such is the concentration of their love and hope that it weakens Vigo enough to allow the Ghostbusters to defeat him.
- When Lady Liberty's torch bursts into genuine flame, notice that while Peter, Egon, and Winston's looks are somewhere between complete disbelief and maybe a bit of worry, Ray on the other hand, is Grinning like a little kid on the Fourth of July watching the fireworks the whole time. Peter wasn't kidding in the first film when he literally told the crowds in New York that Ray was The Heart of the Ghostbusters.
- The rallying speech that Ray gives which inspires this plan is also a great moment.Ray: You know, I just can't believe things have gotten so bad in this city that there's no way back. I mean, sure, it's messy, it's crowded, it's polluted, and there are people who would just as soon step on your face as look at you. But come on! There's gotta be a few sparks of sweet humanity left in this burned-out burg. We just gotta find a way to mobilize it!
Egon: He's right. We need something that everyone in this town can get behind, we need... a symbol.
Ray: Something that appeals to the best in each and every one of us.
Egon: Something good.
Winston: Something decent.
Peter: Something pure.
[The four turn their attention to the icon of the Statue of Liberty on ECTO-1's license plate] - And the assembled crowd breaking out into "Auld Lang Syne" as the clock ticks midnight, weakening Vigo enough for the Ghostbusters to finish him off. That wasn't part of the Ghostbusters' plan; the citizens did that all on their own. They had no way of knowing how the battle was going, that the Ghostbusters were seconds away from losing big-time. It was just New Year's Eve, and that's what you do in New York on New Year's Eve: Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight surrounded by complete strangers. RAY WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
- Brave little Louis Tully in a Ghostbuster uniform standing in front of the slime-covered museum. You can tell he's really scared at first, but a second later, he goes into full-on Badass Hero Mode.Louis: I'm here with you guys!
- And after that, he fires his Proton Pack's particle thrower at the shell and it shatters (of course, he had a lot of help, but don't tell him that).Louis: I did it! I did it! I'm a GHOSTBUSTER!!!
- He may well have done some actual good. Appearing to single-handedly dispel the shell may have boosted the spirits of the watching New Yorkers, allowing the Ghostbusters to more easily neutralize Vigo's slime.
- Heck, the fact that Louis showed up and began attacking the shell in and of itself likely boosted a lot of spirits, as it demonstrated two things: That even if the Ghostbusters proper fail there are others willing to take their place and keep on fighting back, and that if even a meek nobody accountant can find the courage to stand up to the threat, so could just about anyone else. Realizing either of those things would dampen the fear Vigo caused.
- Slimer helps Louis out by driving him to the museum.
- And the fact that the bystanders all start cheering and congratulating Louis after the shell is destroyed.
- The romance between Janine and Louis is one of the brighter spots of the film.
- And after that, he fires his Proton Pack's particle thrower at the shell and it shatters (of course, he had a lot of help, but don't tell him that).
- In the first film, Janine had to assure callers that the Ghostbusters were serious. Now, she tells them that, yes, they're back.
- Also the fact that, after five years, apparently the Ghostbusters couldn't go back into business without Janine at the desk.
- In the years since saving the world, the Ghostbusters got shafted and dismissed as frauds and publicity hounds by a lot of people. Not entirely during the trial, though.Peter: There are some things in this world that go way beyond human understanding, things that cannot be explained, things that most people don't wanna know about. That is where we come in.
Prosecutor: So, what you're saying is that the world of the supernatural is your exclusive province.
Peter: Kitten, I think what I'm saying is that sometimes, shit happens, someone has to deal with it, and who ya gonna call?
[People in court start cheering and applauding] - Peter's first moment alone with Oscar in which he tells the baby "I could have been your father." For a brief moment, his mask of cynicism slips and he seems genuinely disappointed that he's not.
- He initially slips up and says "I should have been your father." Which makes it almost reach Tear Jerker levels.
- Despite not being his father, though, he and Oscar hit it off immediately, with Peter being very VERY good with him. It's something that doesn't go unnoticed by Dana.
- The part with the dancing toaster when Peter pretends it's burning his fingers. Ray, Winston, and Egon all rush over to help, and when they realize he's just messing with them, they start pretending to attack him in retribution. It's quite sweet to see them all just messing about together and having fun like a bunch of rowdy siblings.
- In a scene which starts as Nightmare Fuel, Dana works with mounting disquiet, as on the painting behind her, Vigo's face briefly, partially animates in a sinister smile. As the score changes, Peter arrives, playfully jokes with Dana, and later proceeds to mock the fearsome painting. His unflappable dryness here emerges in sincere, caring affection, which briefly banishes the menace of Vigo. The tenderly jolly leitmotif evokes this beautifully.
- On having been hosed with positively charged Mood Slime, Ray and Janosz's dazed euphoria of utter, beneficent affection. Somewhat Played for Laughs as it is, the two are completely, joyously at peace with the world.Ray: I...love...you guys. And I love all you guys.Egon: Great, Ray.Ray: And I love Venkman...Winston: [aside] You mean we gotta live with this?Ray: Wow...real friendship!Janosz: [lying in a puddle of slime, singing] ...they...will come from behind...Egon: [helping him up] Sir? You alright?Janosz: ...Why am I dripping with goo?Egon: You had a violent, prolonged, transformative psychic episode.Ray: Sorry we had to hose you there, but you were kinda outta control. Hey...man. Let me tell you something. I love you.Janosz: Yeah?Ray: Yeah!Janosz: Well, I love you, too!
- After the Ghostbusters defeat Vigo, they see the painting has been transformed. No longer does it show a brutal Evil Sorcerer tyrant, but Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston as either angels or saints surrounding Oscar. It's like God is telling the quartet, "Great job, guys!"
- It's the Ghostbusters as the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and Oscar as Baby Jesus.
