Out of all the movies this summer, none has had the enormous pressure to succeed as "Ghostbusters." A reboot/reimagining of the 1984 classic, many fans have been quick to judge the movie even before its release. From early trailers to the casting of the "Ghostbusters" themselves, many have been quick to call the film a bust.
Despite that, I was quite excited for the film going in. The new Ghostbusters team, featuring the likes of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, is an incredibly talented and funny group. Add that with director Paul Feig ("Spy" and "Bridesmaids") and the presence of Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, there is a lot to like behind the scenes. Thor ain't afraid of no ghosts.
Thor ain't afraid of no ghosts.
Instead of trying to duplicate the original, this new "Ghostbusters" film thankfully has its own style and sensibilities. A gleefully silly and surprisingly tender picture, it's a film made with a great deal of confidence and joy, making it a fun revival worthy of the Ghostbusters’ name.
The highlight has to be the cast, which clearly brings their A-game from the start. The four women forming the Ghostbusters team are incredibly funny and likable here, making each of the character’s feel quite distinct despite little character development. Wiig and McCarthy have a great dynamic together on screen, with their friendship being the heart and soul of the film.
Despite not starring in a lot of films, both Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones are a laugh riot here, completely stealing every moment on screen. Both bring such a great comedic energy to the film, making for some of the film’s funniest moments. The four together make for perhaps a more complete team than the original "Ghostbusters," with each equally contributing throughout. Big props also has to go to Chris Hemsworth, who made me laugh hysterically almost every time he shows up on screen as the Ghostbusters’ assistant.
"Ghostbusters" does a good job of having its own voice. The movie has the same sort-of conversational approach throughout, but is clearly made with a more modern sensibility. Director Paul Feig does a very nice job with the visuals of the ghosts, and the action here is fairly impressive. This film, unlike the original, has a surprisingly sweet emotional sentiment involving acceptance and friendship.
This is not a perfect film, however. Like a lot of reboots, this film does get caught up in the trap of paying homage to the original. There are a lot of little references and cameos thrown in throughout the film, and while the thought is nice, most of them feel fairly shoehorned in. Also, the final act of the film in particular is not as strong as the rest, with the narrative ultimately succumbing to the cliches of summer movies.
Even with its faults, the new “Ghostbusters” is a fresh, well-crafted, and thoughtful take on the classic original. Thanks in large part to a fantastic cast, there are a lot of big laughs to be had here, as well as a few surprisingly sweet moments. Anyone on the fence about the film should give it a chance, while those hating on the movie before seeing it should try and not be quite so cynical.
