17 Movie Villains Who Completely Ruined Your Childhood
5. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man - Ghostbusters
I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never, ever possibly destroy us.
That immortal line from Ghostbuster Ray Stantz, is the reason that giant gooey treat switched from a fun and sugary confection into a figure youd prefer to never encounter. As the film reaches its ending, Gozer the Destroyer, being the kind-hearted god of destruction it is, offers the ghoul getters an option. Seeing as the world is headed to Hell, why not spice things up a bit, and put the decision on the apocalypse's form in the hands of the 'Busters? Somewhat inevitably, their attempt to clear their mind failed and Ray's attempt to undermine Gozer's plan backfired pretty spectacularly. Like all things that prevent children from becoming well-adjusted adults, the horror of this villain stems from one simple truth - hes actually a benevolent figure, right up until hes manifested by a destroyer god. There's even something perversely comic in the way the mallow monster waddles down the city streets, before it becomes obvious that his intentions are cruel and unusual. Once again, Ghostbusters is another family-friendly movie with a thinly-veiled allegory concerning the dangers of childhood obesity.
Gem is a freelance writer, musician and librarian.
Her hobbies include: recreating movie death scenes from LEGO, concocting new types of bird suet cakes, walking on fresh snow and playing the glockenspiel - all at the same time.
