Ghostbusters went from a Saturday Night sketch to an international phenomenon in 1984.
This comedy will be fondly remembered for three reasons. The first is the legendary theme song. You can go just about anywhere and ask, “who you gonna call?” and the majority of the responses will be Ghostbusters!
Second, the lead actors/actresses who carried the first two films of the franchise all have a special place in moviegoers’ hearts. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, and Annie Potts have all done other great works in the industry but are fondly remembered their roles in Ghostbusters.
The last reason is the monsters the guys have to fight. There is Slimer, a green goblin who floats and eats everything in sight. Then there is Stay Puft marshmallow man, towers over New York City streets, making the Empire State Building look like a lego tower.
This film reminded us that evil is always lurking around us, and if enough creative energy is put together, it can come to life. You have to admire the story arc here since the guys are faced with minor ghost disturbances until the finale, where the evil tried to take over the world.
Ghostbusters is a 1984 mega-hit that spawned a sequel five years later in 1989. Ahead of its time in terms of special effects, bringing ghosts and monsters to life. The makeup department did a fantastic job with the actors and their creations.
It may surprise a handful of you that this is not my favourite film in the franchise. I never warmed up to this one. I wasn’t a massive fan of the bad guy, Zuul. His creatures of the night seem a little over the top and unnecessary for his mission. I can’t knock the Stay Puft guy because he was pretty badass and probably kids’ nightmares. It is just hard to believe that it would all go down like it did.
Praise also needs to go out to New York City. A target for hate and love at the same time, Ghostbusters really loves to hammer home the point the city that never sleeps is a cesspool for evil to build. 6/10
Ten Stars or Less 