When it was announced they were rebooting the 1984 Ivan Reitman film, the Internet exploded in a fit of fanboy fury.
Advertisement
It’s understandable to not want a film that one holds near and dear to be touched. For those who really hate the thought of all-female leads taking over a revamped franchise, this is their worst nightmare. But the vitriol wasn’t even about that. Everyone on the cast and crew loves the movie so much. My hope for the 2016 “Ghostbusters” was that it would be great and silence all of the petty chatter that has clogged the forums and message boards for months. It’s silly, it’s stupid, it’s fun in spurts.
Notably, the stars of the movie have pushed back against those suggestions, citing the success of films such as “Bridesmaids”, which featured some of those involved in “Ghostbusters”, including director Paul Feig.
It would be easy to get swept to the side when acting along comedy powerhouses like Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. Patty wasn’t a scientist like the rest of her fellow Ghostbusters, but a transit worker, and many people wanted to know why. She’s played by Melissa McCarthy. “She’s really one of the funniest people in the world-she makes me laugh and always has”. While Erin has made a career in academia, Abby continues to work with the paranormal. She enjoys writing about film, TV, and books, but occasionally writes about music as well.
The country has some very odd and obscure laws about depicting the supernatural in movies which has led to several films being banned in the past, and Sony took steps to try to ensure they dodged that bullet by re-titling the picture 超能敢死队, which translates to “Super Power Dare Die Team“. After the three of them encounter a ghost and news of it goes public, they have no choice but to go into business for themselves and open the “Department of the Metaphysical Examination”. They talked about if they felt any hesitation about rebooting such a beloved movie, the good vibe on set, alt jokes, and more.
“Ghostbusters” has a silly vibe and never takes itself too seriously, which is key. While they have good chemistry, I would say Jones isn’t used to full effect. We’ve grown to know and appreciate what Wiig and McCarthy can do. It’s amusing in places but sadly – and not much of a surprise – not so amusing in others. Just imagine what she could do with a leading role.
The script by Feig and The Heat writer Katie Dipold, also misses a chance to connect the bullying driving antagonist Rowan North (Neil Casey) to the bullying the Ghostbusters talk about facing in their own lives into a resonant conclusion, or at least statement, instead letting the various themes of the movie just kind of hang around.
It feels a little like this “Ghostbusters” was a cultural test that we (not the movie) have already failed.
Advertisement
Of the four members of the current team, Ms. McCarthy is the one you can’t stop watching-partly because of her relentlessly buoyant spirit, but also because she’s such a focused actor, as well as a gifted comedian.
