The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic:
on GHOSTBUSTERS
(2016, 116 minutes, PG-13)
The Quick of It -
My earlier life can partially be defined by the movie GHOSTBUSTERS
(1984). You have the mixing of humor
and geekness with the flair of the 80’s era (meaning the better parts… not
large hair, glam rock, and the Cold War).
The cast included the top comedic stars of the time - Dan Aykroyd, Bill
Murray, and Harold Ramos. The effects
were impressionable to a young mind (ghosts could be just as cool as scary) and
the jokes kept you rolling.
And now to the present…
The announcement of a new GHOSTBUSTERS was a thrilling
prospect. Then all went spiraling when
it was said that it would be an all-female cast. The rollercoaster continued in a twisted spin as Paul Feig (SPY,
BRIDES MAIDS, THE HEAT) was set to direct, which he has shown to do well with
female lead roles, but we need strong personalities held together with strong
writing. An added advantage was his
working with Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy on previous projects, a
chemistry must have been present to sign on to a high profile title like
this. The fans did not seem
hopeful. And the die was finally cast…
In this new GHOSTBUSTERS, Wigg plays the uptight Professor Erin
Gilbert who gets pulled into the paranormal world by her old friend Abby Yates
(McCarthy). Erin is up for tenure at
Columbia when she discovers a book she wrote with Abbey, one on the topic of
paranormal activity, has been republished and could ruin her chances. Let the shenanigans begin.
The movie had its moments.
Wigg and McCarthy are joined by Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, more “Saturday
Night Live” cast members, to fill out the new team. They worked well together and did not seem to overshadow
one-another. I think since the studio
went for a milder rating, to reach a larger audience, it made for a duller edge
in comedic wit. There was one
surprising feature to the movie. I will
say that the funniest moments did seem to include Chris Hemsworth, as
Kevin. I never thought I would say
that… ever. But here we are, cats and
dogs living together... mass hysteria!
He was the shining comedic star.
The special effects were on par with the current CGI
technology. They were rich and vibrant,
making for a visual centerpiece to this film.
The shots for the epic ghastly finale were twisted enough to make you
remember ghosts should be scary, even though I would have been running up and
down the streets trying to see everything.
I thought the one weakness was the lack of a powerful antagonist. Neil Casey (Rowan North) plays his part well
but there just isn’t that sense of impending doom you want from a GHOSTBUSTERS
film.
Dan Aykroyd said it best, that this film is a tribute to the
first. There were plenty of parallels,
quick nods, and never once did I think they were trying to outshine the
original. I will say that I feel even
though there were parts that could have been improved upon, I found this movie
to not be the disaster everyone was expecting.
Grade: B-
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