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Rating:  - Ghostbusters are GUT busters!
This comedy is so well crafted, one has to wonder why others haven't capitalized on the motiff since the Abbot and Costello days!
Here we are, twenty one years later, and it's humor still endures. The Busters are misfits... talking their own brand of techno-babble, dedicated to snaring the very "ghosts" that most don't believe in.
The supporting characters, such as Rick Moranis, Annie Potts and Ernie Hudson are just as funny as the SNL and CS veterans. Signorney Weaver (sp?) plays an effective "straight" character in distress.
The busters are both brilliant and bumbling. The youngish Bill Murrey delivers his typical "Rogue," thus he is the one that gets the "girl."
Who among us can forget "slimer," or the "Stay Puff" marshmellow man? Remember, when a transdimensional demonic invader asks you if you're a "god," always say "YES!"
Jeff Messenger, author of the novel "the Shroud of Torrington."
Rating: - An all-star cast of comedic genius from the 1980's
My true confessional is that when I first saw this movie in the 1980's, at the tender young age of seven years, I thought it was a horror movie. As an adult, I've learned to appreciate Ghostbusters as one of the best comedies of all time. How can it not be, with the ensemble cast of comedic masters Rick Moranis, Bill Murray, and Dan Ackroyd? Dr. Peter Venkman (Murray) is one of the all-time best sleazy womanizers, while Moranis plays the quintessential nerdy accountant in love with his beautiful neighbor. The lesser-known Harold Ramis portrays the prototypical absentminded professor, Egon, much to the audience's delight.
It's been said before, but I must reiterate--this is a plot-driven movie. All special effects are minimalist and only done to accent the plot, not to drive it (which is good, since 1980's technology limits the effects that can be accomplished). Why can't modern film take a hint from Ghostbusters and focus more on the plot and less on neat-o CGI trickery?
Ghostbusters' brilliance lies in the complete sincerity with which it treats the absolutely absurd plot. Of course there is a slimy green ghost called Slimer, of course experts can trap ghosts in little boxes, of course you shouldn't cross the beams of unlicensed nuclear accelerators, and of course ancient demons haunt New York apartment buildings. The Ghostbusters "do believe you" when you have supernatural trauma.
If you are a Ghostbusters fan, your other must-see 1980's movies are Gremlins, Spaceballs, The Goonies, Beetlejuice, and Back to the Future.
Rating: - What about the Twinkie?
The first time I saw Ghostbusters I was a little kid. I found it funny at the time, but I never really saw its genius until I got into SNL more, and I watched the likes of Animal House, Stripes, and so on, and I saw what a bunch of brilliant guys had been running around in the late 70s/ early 80s. Ghostbusters has to be my favorite, possibly my favorite comedy. It has great special effects, more quotable lines than Casablanca and Monty Python and the Holy Grail combined, fine casting, and is just plain fun to watch (and again quote).
The story for you newbies: three scientists- sarcastic Peter Venkman (Bill Murray at his finest), paranormal expert Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd, who thought up the whole idea), and electronics nerd Egon Spengler (co-writer Harold Ramis, who also helped bring you the earlier listed films) are kicked out of their university, so they decide to form a business that specializes in getting rid of pesky poltergeists and sneaky spirits, aka ghostbusting. With a hearse as a team vehicle, matching suits, proton packs, and an exasperated secretary, the Ghostbusters face giant marshmallow men, the pesky green hotel ghost Slimer, and help beautiful Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) rid her apartment of evil spirits.
Still not convinced, or did I have you at giant marshmallow man? Well, basically, if you like comedy, see Ghostbusters. If you like ghost movies, see Ghostbusters. If you like movies, see Ghostbusters. If you want to see me quote a movie almost line-for-line, then watch Ghostbusters with me. I got 'em both.
Rating: - Who You Gonna Call?
I loved the movie as a child and even watched the cartoon that somehow turned Slimer into a good guy. Looking back, it ruins the continuity, but luckily as a little kid I didn't care. I even enjoyed the widely panned sequel, yeah it wasn't as good as the original, but it is still funnier than much of what Hollywood releases today. Not to mention the numerous memorabilia such as bed sheets, lunch box, and action figures.
The movie also introduced me to the comic geniuses that are Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. Keep in mind that Saturday Night Live, Caddyshack and previous movies they were in were before my time or were in movies that my parents wouldn't let me see at the time. Murray plays Dr. Peter Venkman, the reluctant leader of the group who would rather pick up some hot chick than further his science career. Aykroyd is Dr. Raymond Stantz, the naive one of the group who enjoys his work a little too much. And Ramis, the perennial straightman, plays Dr. Egon Spengler. All of them hit each joke perfectly.
In addition to the main cast, the supporters are just as perfect. First is the scene stealer, Rick Moranis as an accountant turned Keymaster. Sigourney Weaver, who did look good back then but the frizzy hair hasn't aged well, is Venkman's love interest turned Gatekeeper. Then there are Annie Potts as the token New Yorker secretary and Ernie Hudson, the only ghostbuster without a Dr. in his name that keeps the group grounded and keeps thing in perspective from a regular guy's point of view.
The movie itself maybe not be as quote worthy as other 80's classics and some of the CG has not stood the test of time (where George Lucas when you need him) but the movie as a whole is still worth watching especially with Halloween coming up. So fire up the DVD and let the Ray Parker Jr. blare (which I don't think sounds anything like Huey Lewis' I Want a New Drug). And don't forget to roast some Staypuft Marshmallows over the fire.
Rating: - Something strange !
This was one of my favorites when I was young and I can't wait to see it again ! Plus it has that cool song in it "Who you gonna call ? Ghostbusters !
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