It’s been ages since I saw the first Ghostbusters movie, which was released three decades ago in 1984. I decided to re-watch the original this weekend, but I barely remembered much of it by the time I saw this reboot. I pretty much chose to stay away from all the controversy over its all-female casting, chugging it to whiny fanboys who have too much time on their hands. I mean to say that a reboot ‘ruins your childhood’ and goes on a sexist/racist tirade over a movie, then perhaps you need to find more some meaning with your life.
In any case, I approach this movie with neutral expectations, as I usually do. Now, is it necessary to reboot this? Probably not, but seeing that all the cast members are so hilarious and talented in their own right, I expect to have a good time w/ the movie. Well, for the most part I did.
The movie starts out with a ghost sighting in a haunted mansion. That incident leads to the mansion owner seeking out Dr. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), who vehemently denies writing a book about the existence of paranormal phenomenon as it threatens her reputation as a legit science professor. Soon Gilbert is reunited with her estranged friend and co-writer of the book, Dr. Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), who’s still as passionate as ever in her ghost-hunting vocation at a tech college. Her partner in crime is ab eccentric engineer Dr. Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon). When MTA worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) reported a ghost sighting at a subway tunnel, the Ghostbusters quartet is complete. Each was given a chance to shine here and I honestly can’t pick a favorite as I like ’em all.
This is definitely an origin story from writer/director Paul Feig (who co-wrote it with Katie Dippold), not only told the story of how the team came together, but also how the Ghostbusters logo came about. I think they’ve assembled a great cast, as the four actresses have a great chemistry together and they work well as a team. It’s awesome to see regular girls, some are nerdy and prone to fan-girling (whether it’s ghost or hot-but-dumb male secretary), get to kick ass on the big screen. We’ve seen more of supermodel look-alike heroines like Lara Croft, Wonder Woman, etc. saving the world, so it’s always refreshing to see women we can relate to have their moment this time around.
Speaking of that hot-but-dumb secretary, Chris Hemsworth is definitely game in poking fun at himself as Kevin. He’s obviously aware of his more-brawn-than-brain image and goes all out with it, though at times it feels a bit too much. He’s not quite the scene stealer here, but certainly memorable. As for the cameos of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson, well they’re amusing to see but the scenes they’re in are not as funny as I expected.
The comedic style of this new movie is quite different from the original, for one I find that the new one has more wisecrackin’ one liners. I love the fact that the movie pokes fun at the haters…
‘It’s really easy sit there and be the naysayer when you don’t actually do anything.’ – Abby Yates
… but one of the funniest moments for me was when Leslie Jones’ character jumps into the mosh pit, but falls to the ground when the crowd moves away.
“I don’t know if it was a race thing or a lady thing, but I’m mad as hell!”
Comedy is so subjective, so you either love or hate ’em, but having enjoyed Spy (also written and directed by Paul Feig and stars Melissa McCarthy), this one seems to be in a similar vein. The funniest bits are when the cast are bantering with each other, even the slapstick stuff involving the myriad ghostbustin’ weaponry made me laugh. But I find the last act to be the weakest and I find myself wandering a bit as the CGI-fest is happening on screen.
As with many recent big-budget action flicks like Batman V Superman, there seems to be an obsession with blowing up a city. It’s as if all these filmmakers are infected w/ Michael Bay syndrome or something. The fight scene at the end is once again filled with a city being blown to bits and the colossal CGI smash went on for way too long. I mentioned it in the Dawn of Justice review, it’s a sensory overload that feels like an endurance contest for the audience. Yes I know the original also has a big action scene at the end, but it didn’t feel as bloated as this new one. It also didn’t help that this movie also has a very weak and totally uninteresting villain. I can’t even remember what the guy’s name was who summons all the ghosts to wreck havoc among the living.
That said, I’m glad I saw this and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it overall. I’d say it’s a pretty good Summer escapist fun that pays homage to the original. I wonder at times whether they should’ve made this into a spin-off instead of a reboot, which would perhaps give the filmmakers more wiggle room to make it a different story that’s still about ghost hunting. Whether or not that’d be a better movie remains to be seen of course, but it’d be interesting to see that.
Having seen both the original and the reboot within a week, I’m more convinced of how absurd the controversy is over the all-female cast. Just like the original, the talented main cast are the best thing about the movie. I personally think humor knows no gender. I suppose haters are gonna hate, I just can’t fathom the idiocy of it all.
So if you’re on the fence, give it a shot and make up your own mind. It’s not the best reboots out there, but it’s definitely NOT the worst. I wish this were a better movie but one thing for sure, the main cast made for a winning foursome.
So have you seen the new ‘Ghostbusters’ movie? I’d love to hear what you think!
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FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Nice review, Ruth! Margaret at Cinematic Corner posted a photo of a little girl dressed in a ghostbusters costume at the premiere being greeted by Kristen Wiig…if ANYTHING, that’s what the movie is about. If it can appeal to anyone, let it appeal to a new audience of youngsters. Haters need to have a slice of humble pie ASAP.
Yeah i saw that photo on her blog, I saw that on Twitter before that and it moved me. The expression on the little girls’ faces are priceless. So have you seen this movie? It’s not perfect but still well worth a watch for me.
I haven’t and likely won’t. I see very few movies in theaters these days, but I have to REALLY want to see it to go.
Well I hope you’ll rent it later. Which ones are your must-see on the big screen this Summer (or Fall)?
Next is Suicide Squad. Fingers crossed they do that movie justice!
The hype over that movie is unbelievable. I’ve been avoiding all the clips/trailers until 8/2 when I’m seeing it. I hope it lives up to the hype!
Great review Ruth! I am a little more negative than you are about the film, but still feel it should be seen so people can make their own opinion rather that believe the internet hate. The main cast is great and a lot of fun to watch, I just didn’t like the supporting cast. The cameos weren’t necessary and now that they got them out of the way, I am looking forward to the sequel.
Hi Steven! Yeah the supporting cast, esp the villain is terrible, I don’t even bother listing that guy’s name. The cameos also weren’t funny, but it’s the CGI fest is what’s most bothersome to me. But yeah, hope the sequel is better!
The thing I enjoyed most about the CGI fest was finally getting to see them use their technology, but they could have done that on a smaller scale.
Ah yeah I can see that, but that finale is way too bombastic it’s so unnecessary. I got dizzy just thinking about it. The girls are really a lot of fun though.
I just read on Twitter about how Leslie Jones received those hate and racist tweets towards her and it just made me hate people even more. These losers needs to get a life, she’s an actress and a funny one too and yet these a-holes thought it’s okay to insult her the way they did. Just made me so angry!
Anyhoo, I’ll see this the remake/reboot soon. Funny that you mentioned it should’ve been a spinoff instead of a remake, I think that would’ve worked better. Apparently that’s the route they went with the all female cast of Ocean’s Eleven, Sandra Bullock’s character is a sister of Clooney’s character from the original.
Yeah it’s so ridiculous! Poor girl to have to go through that, man sometimes it pains me to see how stupid some people are. Leslie is a lot of fun, there’s a video of her commenting on Game of Thrones, it’s hilarious! I’d love to see more of her in movies as she’s definitely awesome in this.
Oh that’s cool about the Ocean’s Eleven reboot. I can see Bullock being Clooney’s sister. They kind of have a similar, dark-haired look too. Funny that they’re both in Gravity 🙂
Hey Ruth, loved the review. We share several similar thoughts but I definitely think you like this one a bit more than me. I do think the griping before the film even released was absurd. For the most part I don’t think the ladies are to blame for any shortcomings. To me it’s the script that ultimately let it down.
Hi Keith! Yeah I think those people are just so stupid for complaining loooong before the movie’s even released. I think they’re voting it down on IMDb too before they even see it. It’s so irritating. Even if the movie is far from perfect I’m glad it was made and the ladies are definitely the best thing about it. Yeah, I think the script is quite weak, and that bombastic third act is a bit of a put off for me.
I loved it too when it was poking at the haters, such a clever move.
Yeah, I definitely laughed hard at that one. I think all the one liners are fun and the girls really delivered!
I’m going to wait for it on TV as I’m not going to hate on it all because a bunch of fanboys have sand in their vaginas. I want to give it a chance.
Yes do give it a chance. I don’t even mind seeing this again despite the flaws, as the foursome really are fun to watch.
Great review Ruth! I let the fanboys get me down and went in expecting to hate this…and I had an amazing time! It’s definitely down to the amazing cast, I loved all 4 girls but Kate McKinnon absolutely stole my heart, she was hilarious! I really hope more people give this a chance.
– Allie
Hi Allie! I’m glad to hear you love this one. Yes the four girls are wonderful and McKinnon is absolutely hilarious. I love seeing her in interviews as well. Yes I hope this one will end up making some money in the end, I don’t mind seeing a sequel w/ the same cast.
I watched it during the weekend and really enjoyed it as well. Not all the jokes worked, but overalll it was an entertaining film.
Hi Nostra! Definitely a fun Summer popcorn flick, glad you found it entertaining too. I’d have liked to see more of the bantering instead of the CGI fest though.
Absolutely LOVE everyone in the main cast, especially Melissa. I might even make an exception and see this one in the theater … normally Rufus Sewell is the only actor who actually motivates me to venture to a big screen ;-D
Melissa is great here Becky, she’s sort of the leader of the pack. But the foursome have a great chemistry together, which is a hoot to watch. I’m curious to hear what you think of Kevin the secretary too 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Ruth. I’ll be renting this one down the road. Too excited for Star Trek this weekend to see anything else right now. 🙂
He..he.. so this time it’s you who’s the terrier with her jaws clamped on the [Star Trek] stick 😉 I’m seeing it Friday nite, hope you enjoy it Cindy!
Did u see it in 3D? it looks like it could actually be good here! Glad you quite enjoyed it, though nothing will ever beat Spy for me, I really hope Feig does the sequel to that next, we need more Statham in comedy!
No I saw it in 2D as that’s what the press screening format was. Oh I think Spy is still much funnier than this one, I mean Stath is a hoot! Hemsworth is funny in the beginning but gets irritating after a while. I agree I’d love to see a sequel to Spy, too, hopefully more Stath! 🙂
Nice review, Ruth. Still haven’t gotten a chance to see this one, but going in with moderately upbeat expectations.
Hi Khalid! Moderately upbeat expectations is the way to go man, I think it’s quite fun overall despite the flaws.
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