Ghostbusters (2016): A Review

It's been a long time since I did a film review, and I can think of no place better than right here. And no better movie than this one. I went to see the new Ghostbusters this past Saturday, and, because of all the controversy surrounding it, I felt (of course) that I needed to put in my $.02. So here we go. Buckle up, strap on your proton pack, and prepare for my unvarnished opinion on this rebooting of the franchise.

First off, let's just get this out of the way. This isn't the same Ghostbusters that hit theaters in 1984.

It's theses people...

Not these people.

The premise of the movie isn't that different from its cold-war-era counterpart. Three "scientists" set out to prove the existence of ghosts and, along the way, pick up a normal person who helps out. In the meantime, they find time to run afoul someone who wants to bring about the end of the world, so they use their cobbled-together gizmos and not a small amount of chutzpa to take on the paranormal and kick all kinds of ass. Everyone good on that point? 

So, while the original movie starred Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as the titular quartet, the new one stars Kristin Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. I can hear all the man-babies whine now... "BAWWWWWWW!!! THEY'RE SHITTING ON MY CHILDHOOD!"  If a reboot and recasting with women is all it takes to "shit on your childhood," your childhood must've sucked ass to begin with. Sit down, shut up, and try learning how to breathe with your mouth closed. 

You tell 'em, Mr. T!

The plot is about as thin as it was in the original, so that's nothing new. Don't get all pissy over it... The original was a classic, yes, but you have to admit that there were huge plot holes, so let's not cry over it and move on. The real stars of the show, and rightfully so, are the actors and the special effects.

Kristin Wiig, for example is very good as the bumbling Erin Gilbert, who is ashamed of her past as a believer of paranormal phenomena. When Melissa McCarthy drags her kicking and screaming back into the world of the unseen, it is with great reluctance.  But after being introduced to Jilian Holdzman (played perfectly by Kate McKinnon) and encountering an actual ghost, she falls back in love with the subject. In fact, it is McKinnon and Leslie Jones (playing Patty Tolan) who would completely steal the show, were it not for such competent performances by the rest of the cast. Sure, the characters are recognizable as the female versions of their male counterparts, but they are so very different.

Here...Happy now?

But see, there is so much more to the performances. The modern Ghostbusters hold their own against the originals, with Holtzmann becoming easily an audience favorite for her manic and demented performance of a scientist gone mad. And while her character chews her way through the whole movie, it was Leslie Jones' Patty Tolan that had me laughing so hard I almost needed oxygen in the theater. No spoilers, but this is easily one of the funniest movies I've seen since Deadpool, and for totally different reasons.

Chris Hemsworth also deserves a mention here because his portrayal of the brain-damaged Kevin is funny as hell, and don't give me any crap about how vapid he is. How often have women played characters whose only real purpose was eye candy? How many times have women been played as stupid  when compared to their male costars?  Plenty. And Chris Hemsworth does an amazing job of playing the absolute idiot, and he commits to the role with gusto. It amazes me how willing he is to be the biggest fool in the film, and even goes into a brilliant dance number during the credits. 

Funny funny man...

The special effects are also impressive, though I do tend to favor the more practical effects to computer-generated creatures. 

One thing that no one has mentioned in the previews, which made it a nice surprise in the movie was...

... the cameo appearances in the movie. Every one was a love-letter to the original fandom and a squee-worthy moment in the film. Who did cameos?  EVERYONE from the original. Seriously. Bill Murray shows up, as does Dan Akroyd.  Harold Ramis died before filming, but he shows up as a bust in a college hallway.  The old Hook and Ladder Company makes an appearance.  Ernie Hudson shows up. Even Sigorney Weaver and Annie Potts makes an appearance.  The only person who doesn't appear is Rick Moranis. Even Slimer appears.

So how do I feel about the movie?  I loved it. I enjoyed every popcorn-crunching moment of it, and I'll see it again.  And again.  And when the inevitable sequel comes out, I'll see it too.  If you're not seeing this movie because there are women in place of the originals, you're robbing yourself of a great flick. If you're not seeing it because it's a needless remake, fair point, but it's still really good. I applaud McCarthy, Wiig, Jones, and McKinnon on their performances, and for making the roles their own.

Now go see the movie and fall in love with the paranormal all over again.

Until next time...

SAJ