It’s an enjoyable enough film that’s completely harmless, so rest assured all Ghostbusters-related childhood memories that remained in tact after Ghostbusters II was released will be fine. Fans of the original will enjoy seeing Aykroyd, Murray, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver providing guest spots, but they’re not needed.
Advertisement
But none of the slime sticks – this “Ghostbusters” is a fleet-footed and amusing delight, a faithful homage to the original movie that salutes its source material without feeling bound by it. In a summer movie season where many movies seem to go on and on, this one feels over much too fast. No mere copy of the original, the movie tells a new story that successfully updates the concept for our era while at the same time offering the same kind of ghostly butt-kicking awesomeness I remember feeling when I first watched the original. It’s not trying to be the original but a more modern “Ghostbusters” for younger generations. Kristen Wiig is Erin, a physicist; Kate McKinnon stars as Holtzmann, the engineer who builds the ghostbusting equipment; and Leslie Jones stars as Patty, who helps the team track down the ghosts.
To its great credit, this reboot embraces the roots of the ghostbusters while adding a new and quirky spin to the story. “She’s really one of the funniest people in the world-she makes me laugh and always has”.
With director Paul Feig, stars like Melissa McCarthy and Chris Hemsworth and the backing of the series’ previous stars, it’s certainly got a lot going for it, but does the finished product soar or deserve all those dislikes on YouTube? No matter how you spin it, no matter how great it is, no matter how amusing, there will be those who will not welcome this film with open arms.
Wanting to see this ghoulish remake?
The film, which has a hefty budget of $144 million, needs to be a hit not just to be profitable, but because it’s a starting point for what could become a new hit franchise at a studio that needs more of them. And the common denominator in all the above is Melissa McCarthy, who shares the screen with three other energetic, amusing women.
And what the movie loses in one-liners, it gains in a slightly more well-rounded plot. Then, out of the blue, my wife was talking to Kristen and she said, ‘Oh, I know Paul’s doing Ghostbusters, and if he’d ever want me to do any little part in it, I’d love to.’ That was music to my ears, because Kristen would be so good in this role.
Advertisement
McCarthy: The first two “Ghostbusters” loomed so large. This isn’t the only positive review of the film that is out there, so don’t even try to convince me that the movie isn’t amusing.
