And if you’re nearly 40, you’re too old to care that much about the movies you liked when you were a kid-or, for that matter, spend considerable time on IMDB down-voting a film you haven’t seen.
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I had the wonderful chance to sit down with Paul Feig for an interview during the Los Angeles press day for Ghostbusters last week, and right out the gate I took the opportunity to ask about the movie’s use of 3D. Given the volume of criticism the movie faced during pre-production, a response was probably inevitable, and to Feig’s credit, not every fourth-wall-breaking moment falls flat. Throw in receptionist Kevin (Chris Hemsworth), who has issues with basic tasks or figuring out what to do when the phone rings – this running gag works better than most of the movie’s other jokes – and you can pretty much follow the original story to figure out how the 2016 reboot plays out, which is the biggest problem. Instead there is a clumsy coming-together of old pals Erin and Abby (Wiig and McCarthy), the introduction of nerdy science genius Jillian (McKinnon) and a welcoming for blue-collar enthusiast Patty (Jones). By the time they’re done, Erin is fighting Abby to get at the computer and righteously thrash the haters, but Abby won’t let her, reminding her that nothing is accomplished by responding.
Industry predictions for the film have been all over the map.
Melissa McCarthy stars as Abby, the leader of the group who has spent her life studying ghosts. They’re obstacles more than characters, and the same can be said for Rowan. “That’s an insult to this franchise”, reads another top comment. Making a “Ghostbusters” for a new generation was a tall order, but the movie is so much fun that any fanboy fears melt into mush like a giant marshmallow man. Bill Murray’s cameo appearance as an expert ghost skeptic is amusing and welcome.
And then it happens: the three women actually see a ghost, and the event is caught on video. And the common denominator in all the above is Melissa McCarthy, who shares the screen with three other energetic, amusing women.
Neil Casey’s villain is another addition that generally works on both a straightforward and meta-textual level.
The reboot of the 1984 comedy, which now has four women as the ghostbusting team, is projected for an opening weekend gross of roughly $50 million in North America, according to box office analysts. There are even cameos from several surviving original cast members, who end up solemnly haunting the film with a exhausted, solemn gloom.
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The majority of reviews have been positive, but ever since the first teaser appeared in February this year, some male fans of the original 1984 Ghostbusters have expressed dismay at the prospect of an all-female squad. Hoping for the best but anxious about the worst (again, thanks to that terrible trailer), GHOSTBUSTERS lands on the positive side in the middle. The ghosts here look much better than any in the previous Reitman films.
