“Who are you going call?” Maybe the new “Ghostbusters.” Our JP, a diehard fan of the original film, gives us his thoughts on the reboot featuring an all-female cast.
“GHOSTBUSTERS”
Columbia Pictures
Released Date: Friday, July 15, 2016
Rated: PG-13 by the MPAA.
Running Time: 108 minutes
Directed by Paul Feig
Produced by Ivan Reitman, Amy Pascal
Written by Katie Dippold, Paul Feig
Based on Ghostbusters by Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael Kenneth Williams, Chris Hemsworth
Studio Synopsis:
“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!
J.P.’s Take:
In the spirit of reboots, “Ghostbusters” joins the resurgence of classic titles that are being revitalized such as “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” among others.
This is a reboot in the true sence of the word as it follows the same road map as with its’84 forerunner. Like the original, you’ll find three new “Saturday Night Live” comedic alumni Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Kristen Wiig, along side comedy royalty Melissa McCarthy. Automatically you’d think this film ought to be a side splitter. Well to my surprise, I wasn’t too disappointed with the female laden “busters,” as it etched out its own personality.
So, here is the good – and – bad of my viewing experience.
Unlike the predecessor, “Ghostbusters” 2016 trades in the grim horror atmosphere for one that you’d find in a Nickelodeon TV production. Not that it’s a bad thing, because I actually enjoyed viewing the glowing brightly colored specters float across the screen. Watching the ladies chase down spirits with proton streams firing off also proved to be electrifying. However, I felt less creeped out by the glossy theme park visuals. I have a feeling, however, writer/director Paul Feig with writing partner Kate Dippold were going for more of the cheap comedy gags and family friendliness over dark humor, which works in this particular franchise. From the start, I had a few chuckles and actually laughed through out.
My only qualms are the overly childish dialogue and silly antics, which kept some of the giggle fest to a minimum. Also, I felt the subplot about Erin Gilbert (Wiig) and Abby Yates (McCarthy) being teased as kids for their fascination with the supernatural felt a tad flimsy. Plus, the breadth of the film didn’t feel as epic as the previous version. Most of the terror was contained within only a couple square blocks of New York.
As I’ve mentioned before, this film has its own personality and the characters make that known. Fans, of course, remember the players from the 1984 “Ghostbusters,” with Bill Murray as the weasely Peter Venkman and the two uber nerds Egon Spenglar and Ray Stantz played by the late Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd respectively. Then the calm collectedness of Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore rounds out the cast. It was a cast with great chemistry and comedic prowess.
Here in the 2016 version, Feig and Dippold gave the foursome such distinct personalities that they separate themselves from their male counterparts.
Kate McKinnon’s character Jillian Hotlzman is a stand out simply because of her scene steeling quirks. In the heat of battle between her and some ghostly enemies, she says “almost forgot about my new toys, “then proceeds to lick her proton guns.” McKinnon, herself, claims the character is close to her own true to life identity. Kristen Wiig is the straight laced Erin Gilbert, a mousy but brilliant scientist. McCarthy injected her own form of uber nerdiness into Abby Yates with a nice balance of brilliance to goofiness. Leslie Jones was nicely cast as the befitting New York trivial expert/MTA station agent Patty Tolan. She’s a smooth talker and a worthy addition to the lady busters.
Andy Garcia as Mayor Bradley and Cecily Strong as his high strung assistant Jennifer Lynch get in a few good laughs. They felt more like cartoon characters than anything. Chris Hemsworth played the airheaded Kevin Beckman. He was mostly on screen for the eye candy and certainly not his brains this time, which made for some wacky moments between the female cast. Charles Dance comes into the picture as a stiff necked dean to a prestigious University. Neil Casey has the privilege of playing Rowan North, a character who’s largely responsible for bringing on the supernatural apocalypse. And he does so with mystery and eeriness.
You can bet your bottom dollar you’ll be treated to cameos not only by the ’84 cast and numerous other famous faces as well. Including slimer but minus Rick Moranis.
For all its worth “Ghostbusters” 2016 is a nice chunk of summer fun, with cool effects, nutty humor and a cast the plays quite nicely together. You can rest assure the second chapter is in the works, as suggested by a scene after the credits roll, which reiterates an ancient supernatural creature – with a name that starts with the letter Z.
