When a group of scientists whose questionable theories on the paranormal are proven, they must decide to band together and abandon reason, to become a ghost-fighting team of unlikely superheroes.
Ghostbusters (1984), and its rallying cry of a theme song, was simply emblematic of 1980s comedy. It starred Dan Ackroyd and Bill Murray, carried a self-effacing attitude to heroism, and possessed a snidely sexual playfulness, as we were asked to journey on a somewhat ridiculous adventure that saw four grown men battle ghosts. (Arguably, even more ridiculous was the fact that Sigourney Weaver was apparently the one that needed saving.)
But we laughed, we suspended our disbelief, and we chanted along as we were enthusiastically asked: ‘Who you gonna call?’
Two decades later, the Ghostbusters are back. In this modern retelling, the premise remains suitably ludicrous as New York City once again faces being slimed and sucked into a demonic paranormal vortex, unless a group of ghost-busting scientists can save it. What hasn’t been so funny is the criticism lobbed at this film prior to its release, simply because it dared to replace the central team of slapstick blokes, with women.
Like Murray and Ackroyd before them, Kristin Wiig and Melissa McCarthy have rightfully earned their place as comedic icons of this generation. In their 2016 version of Ghostbusters, they have more than successfully brought the original essence of the franchise back to life. But, more than this, they have given young girls everywhere a normalised view of women as intelligent, flawed, funny, dishevelled and confident heroes, who can kick some serious paranormal activity without a care that they may endure a little slime along the way. In this regard, the film is exceptional.
Those who want to tug at the loose threads of the plot, or the one-liners that occasionally fall flat, ought to dust off their VCR’s and give the original a re-watch. They may be shocked at how it’s dated. Thankfully, there’s a lot to love about this new film—it’s fun, it’s a little scary and it has enough thrills and spills to be thoroughly entertaining.
Leslie Jones and Kate Mckinnon, who round out the new ghost-busting team, are wickedly funny; and Liam Hemsworth, as the slightly simple receptionist, makes a nice counter to the norm. This is one for the older kids—and those of us who were kids in the 80s when the original films made such a mark.
Don’t take it too seriously (not that the subject matter would demand any seriousness at all), and as long as you ain’t afraid of no ghost, you’ll enjoy the cameos and clever comedy of this supernatural spoof. Just be prepared to have that tune linger in your head for a little while after the credits have rolled.
Director: Paul Feig
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Liam Hemsworth
Runtime: 2 hours, 5 mins
Release Date: July 15
Rating: PG
Reviewer Rating: 3.5/5