Review of Ghostbusters Ghost Trap Prop Replica

Introduction

It seems appropriate that on Halloween night I'm writing a review about a ghost trap - what's scarier than ghosts? Sure, there's serial killers. And aliens. And sharks. And zombies. Actually, just about everything is scarier than ghosts, but the film Ghostbusters is still one of the all time great ghost movies.

Mattel already released the excellent PKE Meter prop replica, and they've followed it up with the Ghost Trap, complete with lights and sounds. All you need to do is add four AA batteries, not included of course.

This prop was a Matty Collector exclusive for October, where it was going for the larger than life price of $130. Even with the big price tag, this guy sold out in just a few hours, a testament to how popular full scale replicas are these days.

Packaging - ****
Like the PKE meter before it, this trap comes in a heavy duty cardboard box designed to look like an old school wooden packing crate. It was great with the PKE meter, but it's even better here because of the larger size.

Inside are instructions, as well as sturdy, dense foam trays to hold the trap safe. It's completely collector friendly of course, and would look great on the shelf behind the prop.

Sculpting - ****
Finding really clear photos of the actual prop isn't easy, but based on what I have been able to track down, this replica looks extremely accurate.

Some of the knobs might be slightly off size, but it's close, and everything that should be here appears to be here. The sharply defined sculpting makes all the plastic pieces look like real metal, and the scale on both the pedal and the trap itself is dead on.

While the plastic cord might be a bit flimsy, it is a very good length, giving you plenty of room between yourself and your trap when the time comes for bustin'.

Along with the light and sound features, which I'll discuss in greater detail in a minute, there's a couple other 'movement' features worth noting. Obviously the doors open and close as you press the pedal and cycle through the functions, and the trap itself rocks occasionally once you have a ghost inside. There's also a knob on the front and one on the side that serve no real function but turn nonetheless. Finally, you can also press a small release handle just under the PKE meter on the front, and the inside tray can slide out from the larger frame, ready to be inserted in your home containment unit. Obviously, it doesn't light up or make any noise once it's removed, since you've disconnected it from the power source.

Paint - ****
It might be largely plastic, but most of it looks like metal thanks to the combination of a sharply defined sculpt and a realistic paint job.

The weathering and base colors are very well done, with just the right amount of wear on couplings and high points. Some areas are stickers, particularly instructions, and they are well printed and easy to read.

Accessories - ***
I know what you're asking - how can a prop replica have 'accessories'? This one comes with red tubes that can be used to replace the gray tubes on one side. This is a great feature, since it allows you to customize the look to either film.

Sound/Light Feature - ****
There are two modes that the trap operates in - movie mode, and prop mode. To switch between prop and movie mode, you use one of the small knobs on the very front.

In prop mode, the functions are much more basic. There are no sounds, only light and movement. Press the pedal once, the trap pops open with a blue light inside. Press it again, and the lid closes, the red lights indicate the trap is 'full', and the single red light on both the trap and the pedal assembly blink. These blinking lights remain on until you turn off the unit. The point of prop mode is to cycle through the light options, and to be able to unhook the pedal from the rest of the trap and attach it to your cosplay costume, keeping the lights on.

Movie mode is the show off setting. In this mode, pressing the pedal once opens the lids and the interior glows blue, complete with appropriate sound effects. Press it again, and it glows red, and it sounds like you're capturing a ghost. Press it a third time and the lid snaps shut on your paranormal buddy, the red leds at the top light up to indicate it's full, and the two separate red lights (one on the trap and one on the pedal assembly) start to blink. The sounds continue, the blue light appears inside every few seconds, and the trap itself shakes on occasion as if a ghost is trapped inside.

All of these functions work great, and I particularly like how the trap rocks and rattles once you have a ghost encased inside. Some folks have complained that the soft plastic connector that runs from the pedal to the trap is difficult to attach and keep attached, but I had no issues with it at all. Everything worked great right out of the box.

Fun Factor - ****
If you're thinking cosplay, then this is going to be great fun. You should still be careful with it, since breaking it wouldn't be that hard, but normal handling should be fine. With the lights blinking, it will look great hooked to your Ghostbusters pack.

Value - **1/2
At first, $130 might seem like a lot for a plastic replica. The reality is that an actual metal replica would run 5 to 10 times as much, considering all the moving parts. Compare this to other prop replicas, most of which have no moving pieces and certainly no light and sound functions, and you'll get a much better feel for the real value here. You're not getting an sort of deal or bargain, but the price is really in line for the functions and quality.

Things to Watch Out For -
Let's keep in mind that this IS plastic. There's a few metal parts, but most of the construction is made of cheaper materials, lending itself to more potential for breakage. I didn't have any problems, but I wasn't doing any serious cosplay either.

Overall - ****
I'm a huge fan of well done prop replicas, and this year we've seen a ton. From the exceptional Princess Bride swords to the cool Talky Tina, there have been plenty that could be called 'best of the year'. But after playing with this set up for awhile, I have to say that I think Mattel will be getting my vote.

Most replicas just sit there and look good - and they don't even always do that. But this one hits it out of the park on all accounts, even in plastic form.

Now all I need is a reasonably priced (under $300) proton pack, and I'll be set for next Halloween!

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Accessories - ***
Sound and Light Features - ****
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - ****

Where to Buy 
This was originally available on Matty Collector, but now your best bet is to watch ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Ghostbuster reviews include:

- they also produced a great PKE Meter prop replica.

- The last new character figure I reviewed was the 12" Zeddemore.

- also in the 12" series was Ray and Venkman. In the six inch scale, they have also released the SDCC exclusive Egon, Ray, Venkman, and Winston.

- I've also covered the NECA releases in the past, including Gozer, Slimer, Vinz and Zuul, as well as their large Staypuft Marshmallow Man.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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