Don't Boycott 'Ghostbusters'
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Don't Boycott 'Ghostbusters'

Ain't nothing wrong with a little reboot.

12
Don't Boycott 'Ghostbusters'

If you remember around this time last year, there was a big backlash on the movie "Mad Max: Fury Road" as some people were upset about the presence of a strong female character in a movie franchise formerly dominated by men. Sounds harsh when I put it that way, but that’s just what it was. When "Mad Max: Fury Road," for lack of better words, destroyed at the Oscars, it was time to find something else to be up in arms about, and the rage landed on the new all-female reboot of "Ghostbusters."

I have browsed the “movement’s” various websites (aka Reddit and Facebook pages). Some are very straight-forward about being mad because of their distaste for empowered women or denounce it for being an all-female group, claiming that’s sexist. For goodness’s sake, men got Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13. Y’all are safe. You can cool it with the “just say no” to female empowerment, misogyny-versioned D.A.R.E.

However, some mask sexism and fragile masculinity, as if they are fooling anyone, in bad movie reviews dating back to half a year ago. Yeah, that's six months before the movie came out. Now that the movie is out and most of the real reviews are less angry than they were hoping, they’ve turned to accusing reviewers of dirty play.

Some of the groups have even pulled the “If you’re a real fan, you won’t see this movie.” My favorite accusation was that reboots are a form of discrimination against fanbases because they water down the franchise. I have yet to figure out if they were joking or not. Personally, I love the original "Ghostbusters." And if you're a real fan, you would know all of the living original "Ghostbusters": Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson; Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver all make cameos. There are even homages to Slimer, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man,and the late Howard Ramis. So if you’re worried the OGs will be mad if you see it, they’ll probably be glad. Not that this is a contest, but who’s the fake fan now?

It was a good movie. A great movie, I thought. I thought it was sweet and funny and occasionally made you jump. It wasn’t a remake exactly; it wasn’t a sequel exactly; it was just a wonderful homage. And I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys movies. However, some people comparing the two films have continued a time-honored tradition of creating unreasonable standards for women to live up to. When you think of the original Ghostbusters, remember it was a good movie, a fun ‘80s film, borderline advanced for its time. I didn’t spend weeks studying it in film appreciation. It wasn’t "Citizen Cane" or "Ben-Hur" or "Psycho." It didn’t change the world. It was a good movie.

But I do get it. Sometimes, it can feel like other people getting built up feels like you are being torn down. But it’s just not. Someone else being empowered is really not about you at all, and I’m sorry if that’s a hard pill to swallow. Opportunities opening up for women are not stolen from men. And I’m sorry if this seems like a mockery. I don’t want to minimize anyone’s feelings, but on a broader scale, I don’t want women minimized.

As Manohla Dargis wrote in her New York Times review, “Girls rule. Women are funny. Get over it.” And if Sigourney Weaver taught us anything in this reboot, it’s “Safety lights are for dudes.” So if you refuse to see this movie on principle, it’s ok; I’ll see it enough times for all of us.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

94191
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments