Log in / Sign up
 
    Share this page

    Ghostbusters

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

    Not planning on seeing the reboot of “Ghostbusters”? Go ahead; you’re missing out. Plus, it means more leg space in the cinema for me. This is a surprisingly funny picture. It’s more than just a mere remake of the original.

    When Dr. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) discovers that the book she co-authored, a tome about how to theoretically identify, lure and capture ghosts has been published, she rushes to meet Dr. Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) before she loses her prestigious job at Columbia University. When they encounter a real-life ghost, the two friends join up with engineer Dr. Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) and street savvy subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) to squash the onslaught of supernatural activity.

    This version of “Ghostbusters” isn’t really a remake. It has a few elements in common with the 1984 Ivan Reitman picture, such as the heroines not being treated seriously at first and eventually forming a tightly-knit group that becomes New York’s only hope for survival and interference from government officials when it becomes apparent that something big is going on. Otherwise, this is a different film that just happens to focus on a bunch of people who want to make a living capturing ghosts. There’s no Zuul, no Keymaster, no Dana Barrett. That’s something to be excited about. If you were worried that Kristen Wiig would be trying to imitate Bill Murray’s sarcastic wit, she’s not. This is a different film, one that plays to the actresses’ strengths (and I don’t mean McCarthy falling over while people comment on her weight) and makes the most of the 3D tech.

    Is the film as good the original? Could it be superior to the classic? Not quite, but it’s very enjoyable and there are even a few things that it manages to do better than it’s progenitor. Leslie Jones’ character Patty, for example. What always bummed me out with “Ghostbusters” (even more so with the lackluster sequel) was the fact that Ernie Hudson felt tacked on, often with little to do. Here, the character is introduced early, has plenty of comedic moments and is an integral member of the team. Every character brings something to the team and is integral to the film’s success. I also enjoyed seeing the film in 3D more than I have any other picture this year. This comedy brings the 3D back to what it used to be like. Not about subtle nuances in the background, but stuff flying in your face as ghosts puke ectoplasm towards the camera or fly through the air, tossing debris left and right. Right until the very end of the credits (which are jam-packed with stuff to look at) you’ll see proton containment lasers blasting in all directions. That’s a treat I cherish particularly, as it makes the wait for the sequence at the end credits an eye-popping experience.

    “Ghostbusters” is at its weakest when it panders to fans of the original. There’s a long “origin” story for the logo that contains some big laughs and is clever but could’ve easily been cut out. Normally I wouldn’t complain about little winks to the audience, but the new material, courtesy of writers Katie Dippold and Paul Feig (who also directs) is strong enough that it makes all the cameos feel unnecessary. The leads have such great chemistry it sculpts its own identity and when Chris Hemsworth is introduced as Kevin, the Ghostbusters’ dim-witted but mouth-wateringly handsome secretary, the laughs flow consistently. He’s what I wanted to see when I first glanced upon the trailer; new jokes that could only come from a cast as different from the originals as could be. Those moments that make you smile, the ample instances of team building and character development and the natural chemistry between all of the players ensures two things: 1) That you’re invested in the story and 2) that you never forget that this is a comedy courtesy of a talented team.

    Remember when “Predators” was first released and Adrien Brody seemed like such a weird replacement for Schwarzenegger, but the film delivered so much better than “Predator 2” did? That’s what this film is like. It knows that it has to be different, so it goes in the opposite direction in its casting and takes a look at the premise at its very base and asks: “What could we do with this? ” The results are a delight. Consistently enjoyable and with plenty of cool ghost designs and side-splitting gags, “Ghostbusters” is one to see. (3D Theatrical version on the big screen, July 21, 2016)

    8
    HelpfulNot helpful  Reply
    adamwatchesmovies@  23.7.2016 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

    Show all reviews for this movie
    Note: The movie review posted on this page reflects a personal opinion of one user. We are not responsible for its content.

    Did you see ''Ghostbusters''?

    There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.

    How do you rate this movie?

    Select stars from 1 to 10.
    10 - A masterpiece, go, see it now
    9 - Excellent movie, a must see
    8 - Great movie, don't miss it
    7 - Good movie, worth seeing
    6 - Not bad, could be much better
    5 - So so, okay if you don't pay
    4 - Not good, even if you don't pay
    3 - Poor movie, not recommended
    2 - Very bad, forget about it
    1 - Worst ever, avoid at all costs

    Please explain. Write your comment here:

    Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.

    Your age and sex:

    We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.