Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today--Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they're here to save the world!
Rating: PG 13 (for supernatural action and some crude humor)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Paul Feig, Katie Dippold
In Theaters: Jul 15, 2016 wide release
Runtime: 105 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Paul Feig, Katie Dippold
In Theaters: Jul 15, 2016 wide release
Runtime: 105 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures
REVIEW
2016's Ghostbusters is 1984's Ghostbusters on steroids. With the addition of today's movie magic in CGI, digital effects and stuntwork, New York's supernatural sure put this new female team of super-nerds to the test.
Complete with pop culture's solid knowledge of the paranormal and ghost hunting thanks to the copious number of television shows covering the topic, the new Ghostbusters film is not a remake of the original 1984 Ghostbusters as many fans originally feared but a present-day New York reboot with fresh scientists and wacky inventors with new gadgets (plus, of course, the old favourites).
With a PG-rating, the film is firmly set in family film territory, even more-so than the originals, though it most definitely pays die-hard fans tribute with in-jokes and cameos from some of the original cast and ghosts alike. Fear not if you haven't seen the 1980s films (and I haven't for a good 20 years), as you'll be able to follow it fine, just with the understanding that there are some references - albeit, unimportant to the plot - that you won't get.
But to be honest, those now middling-in-age die-hard fans aren't the primary audience for this film. Ghostbusters is squarely aimed at awakening a whole new generation to the franchise.
Though sometimes feeling a bit forced (less nerd jargon, we get it: they're smart) and a bit too much exposition in the dialogue, with its frenzied gag-a-second pace (be they one-liners, ghosts projectile vomiting slime, or the simplicity of people falling down), it's not remaking the wheel, here, but it is good fun to watch.
With a PG-rating, the film is firmly set in family film territory, even more-so than the originals, though it most definitely pays die-hard fans tribute with in-jokes and cameos from some of the original cast and ghosts alike. Fear not if you haven't seen the 1980s films (and I haven't for a good 20 years), as you'll be able to follow it fine, just with the understanding that there are some references - albeit, unimportant to the plot - that you won't get.
But to be honest, those now middling-in-age die-hard fans aren't the primary audience for this film. Ghostbusters is squarely aimed at awakening a whole new generation to the franchise.
Though sometimes feeling a bit forced (less nerd jargon, we get it: they're smart) and a bit too much exposition in the dialogue, with its frenzied gag-a-second pace (be they one-liners, ghosts projectile vomiting slime, or the simplicity of people falling down), it's not remaking the wheel, here, but it is good fun to watch.
How Kid-Friendly is it?
Maybe don't bring the toddlers.
Though the tone is most definitely kid-friendly and the jokes are clean, I'm not gonna lie. Some of the ghosts are pretty scary-looking, so I maybe wouldn't bring the littlest members of your family.
Haters Gonna Hate
Long before the film even hit theatres this week, there has been a lot of hate and animosity toward the very idea of this film.
Yes, people dislike the idea of remakes of their favourite films. it can feel like the new film will tarnish the cherished memories of the one they loved so much; that the new film won't live up to the greatness of the original placed way up high on a pedestal in a glass case that no one is supposed to touch.
Yes, some of the hate aimed squarely at a 2016 Ghostbusters movie has been about this (though it's definitely not a remake, more a reboot), but the spectacular amount of vitriol spread about this film was mostly not about the destruction of nostalgia. It wasn't really about Ghostbusters at all.
Below is a screenshot of the first trailer that was released. To the right, below the 36 million+ views it has had, you will notice the thumbs up and thumbs down options which viewers can click to show the uploader - and YouTube viewers - whether or not they liked what they saw.
Yes, people dislike the idea of remakes of their favourite films. it can feel like the new film will tarnish the cherished memories of the one they loved so much; that the new film won't live up to the greatness of the original placed way up high on a pedestal in a glass case that no one is supposed to touch.
Yes, some of the hate aimed squarely at a 2016 Ghostbusters movie has been about this (though it's definitely not a remake, more a reboot), but the spectacular amount of vitriol spread about this film was mostly not about the destruction of nostalgia. It wasn't really about Ghostbusters at all.
Below is a screenshot of the first trailer that was released. To the right, below the 36 million+ views it has had, you will notice the thumbs up and thumbs down options which viewers can click to show the uploader - and YouTube viewers - whether or not they liked what they saw.
944,000 people - nearly a million people - pressed the thumbs down button, claiming that they disliked the trailer. That's nearly four times as many people liked it. And you know what? It has nothing to do with the movie.
It has to do with the fact that the ghostbusters are women. Strong, intelligent women, at that. And to turn stereotypes completely upside down, they even have an air-headed male receptionist! It's disappointing that female-led films receive such ugliness and hate, with groups trying to shove women in film back into the love interest box, back to the kitchen and back the bedroom where they belong.
At time of writing, Ghostbusters has a 4.4 rating on IMDB (a site where anyone can rate a film without having seen it), yet a 76%, certified fresh rating by professional reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
It has to do with the fact that the ghostbusters are women. Strong, intelligent women, at that. And to turn stereotypes completely upside down, they even have an air-headed male receptionist! It's disappointing that female-led films receive such ugliness and hate, with groups trying to shove women in film back into the love interest box, back to the kitchen and back the bedroom where they belong.
At time of writing, Ghostbusters has a 4.4 rating on IMDB (a site where anyone can rate a film without having seen it), yet a 76%, certified fresh rating by professional reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
Screenshot from Reddit
Come on, fellas. The original cast members make cameo appearances just for you, so even they gave the film their blessing. Let's just give it a chance, or not see it at all, yeah? Why does it really matter to you, anyway?
Should You See It?
Though some of the jokes and slapstick were aimed more at kids, Chris Hemsworth's pretty bimbo started to grate on my nerves and at times it stepped over the line into too wacky and outlandish, overall it was a fun film for the whole family.
#NotSpons. Saw this film with my own dollars.
[Images via Sony Pictures]
[Images via Sony Pictures]
RSS Feed
