Ghostbusters
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Cast
Melissa McCarthy – Dr. Abigail “Abby” Yates
Kristen Wiig – Dr. Erin Gilbert
Kate McKinnon – Dr. Jillian Holtzmann
Leslie Jones – Patty Tolan
Chris Hemsworth – Kevin Beckman
Cecily Strong – Jennifer Lynch
Andy García – Mayor Bradley
Neil Casey – Rowan
Why?
Before seeing this movie I wished I’d never seen the original Ghostbusters. Wish I’d erased it from my mind and that it wasn’t one of my favourite childhood movies.
Of course I don’t really wish that – but it would have made Ghostbusters less easy to sneer at. Raise my eyebrows at. Frown in confusion at. And I spent a good 70% of the movie doing this, due to bizarre character uses and recycled elements from the original two. For example:
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man appears – as a balloon. Yes – a balloon.
I’m not a native American myself, but was the Stay Puft brand not popular in the 1980’s, not 2016?
The final scene sees the Ghostbusters take to the streets of New York to get the escaped demons under control. A street parade (that no one seemed to know about) appears out of nowhere, and a cluster of giant novelty balloons suddenly become nasty..
A) I couldn’t fathom how BALLOONS could be ghosts
B) one of the balloons was Stay Puft. A notorious, menacing icon from the original movies – but in latex form. Clearly taken from the original movie, even though this was supposedly nothing to do with it.
The infamous logo (cute white ghost who looks like a blob of cream behind a red ‘stop’ sign) is born when a random character on the New York subway graffitis it on a wall in spray paint. That’s right people – a completely irrelevant, random guy who is on screen for less than 75 seconds is responsible for one of the most famous logos in history. What a moment to cherish.
Yes, I’m being sarcastic.
The Ghostbuster outfits, their hearse vehicle, laser guns.. each and every element of Ghostbusters is in – Ghostbusters. Which led me to question: what the fuck was this?
A reimagining?
A version of the story set in a parallel world?
The same movie but everything scrapped and the drawing board started again?
A spin-off?
Or just a rip-off?
Whatever the reasoning behind renovation of such an iconic movie, I personally felt it was a complete waste of Hollywood’s time. And before going to see Ghostbusters, I said to a few people that I hoped there was a good undercurrent to the story, that the four females were actually related to the previous males; I.E. Patty the daughter of Winston, Abby the niece of Ray, etc. This would have given the movie a feasible backing. Unfortunately though, this was literally – starting over.
Imagine The Goonies being re-made in 2016, with an all-male cast. Mama Fratelli isn’t Mama Fratelli, but a random woman on a supermarket checkout in passing. There is no ‘Sloth’ – but the face of the character from the original movie printed on the side of a car as a taxi company’s logo. All other elements remain the same. This is how watching Ghostbusters felt. Extremely questionable.
Quick
What I found about Ghostbusters was how quickly everything came to a head; how fast it was over. Literally – strange things happen – the women form a group – investigate a man and his evil plan – zap some ghosts – stop Rowan – close the portal – movie ends.
This movie could easily have been squeezed into a one-hour episode of a popular sci-fi television programme. Its story lacked the substance to build on, to stretch out, and ultimately became a bit of a run-a-round comedy fuelled by slapstick perfect for children, I.E. you don’t need to focus too much on it to know what’s going on.
I was slightly surprised Ghostbusters was directed by Paul Feig – the man responsible for the likes of Spy, and Bridesmaids. Mainly because it was on an entirely different scale to those sorts of movies. Of course you can’t have the same bolshy humour in a movie like this, it’s a family feature, but I could definitely feel the difference. The difference being Ghostbusters was at the bottom of the slope, his others being at the top.
What Went Right
Ghostbusters contains some enjoyable qualities – the main one which stands out for me is its CGI, graphics. Some of the work gone in to the production ensures the screen fizzes with bright, glossy colours. Deep purples, rich blues, bright green, orange, yellow.. whether it’s ghosts whizzing around the set or the beams from the ‘Busters guns, I can’t deny this movie bursts with definition. Coupled with some very well produced animation, Ghostbusters (2016) is perfect for younger viewers.
Reinventing Ghostbusters but using all the same elements from the original was just plain weird. Tedious. And a little pointless. I honestly couldn’t fathom why this classic had to be re-made, and the overall concept got a sigh as my first reaction. But I’m torn because the movie as a whole was witty and bursting with female comic charm. It makes for very easy watching, and if you’re stuck for something to put on (or stream – I know how most of you work) on a Saturday night in, I’d recommend Ghostbusters. You don’t have to focus too hard to know what’s going on. Just shift the original from your mind whilst you watch and you may end up really enjoying this version.
I personally would not watch this again. But each to their own, and on to the next!..
Ricky's Film Reviews 