Ghostbusters
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Director: Paul Feig
Writers: Kate Dippold, Paul Feig, based on the 1984 "Ghostbusters written by Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, and the late Harold Ramis.
Cast: Melissa McCarthy (Abby Yates), Kristen Wiig (Erin Gilbert), Kate McKinnon (Jillian Holtzmann), Leslie Jones (Patty Tolan), Zach Woods (Tour Guide), Ed Begley Jr. (Ed Mulgrave), Charles Dance (Harold Filmore), John Milhiser, Ben Harris (Higgins Student), Karan Soni (Bennie), Bess Rous (Gertrude Aldridge Ghost), Steve Higgins (Dean), Neil Casey (Rowan North), Dave Allen (Electrocuted Ghost), Katie Dippold (Rental Agent), Chris Hemsworth (Kevin).
Opening Sequence: The 2016 film, Ghostbusters is a re-boot from the 1984 Ghostbusters, unfortunately the film received some pretty bad reviews from critics, and fans alike. Sometimes you really need to sit back and either enjoy what you're watching or not watch it at all. Just remember these reviews are all opinions. I'll go into the review shorty, but let me start by saying that this website is pure, what i mean by that is simple; Pure, honest reviews, i'll give this film my best. If i believe the film sucks, i'll tell you why? It sucked. I will break down the movie, the best way i can. So folks here we go, grab you're popcorn and cotton candy, and enjoy the Ghostbusters.
Review: The film begins with a wide shot of the Aldridge mansion, inside a tour guide has a group of people interested in the history of the mansion. Garrett (Zach Woods) notices that something is wrong but can't locate the problem. A device underneath the nightstand. He continues, hesitates, looks again, finds nothing. Garrett goes into the creepy background on the eldest daughter, Gertrude. She was locked in the basement by her father, what was even more disturbing was the way the servants had died one night. Each were killed by Gertrude, in fact, it was later determined she was the one who had killed all the servants, while asleep at night.
The tour guide continues his story, as he comes to a close the doorway to the basement, it slowly opens. He had said that know one had ever opened that door, for many years, until now. The door seemed to open by itself. Fortunately the tour thought it was a gag, so they took it as part of the tour, but little did they know, something else opened the door, maybe it was Gertrude. The tour continues to the next area of mansion. The voices fade, the tour continues, but a lone device flickers beneath the nightstand, whatever it is, it's not part of the mansion.
"Now, I'm gonna tell you something a little spooky. The morning of October 25, 1894, Sir Aldridge awoke furious when his breakfast was not waiting for him. So, he called his servants, but none of them responded. Why? Because, during the night, one by one they had each been stabbed to death in their sleep. It was later discovered that they were murdered by his eldest daughter, Gertrude. Sir Aldridge once wrote in his diary, "I know God makes no mistakes, but i believe he may have been drunk when he built Gertrude's personality." - Garrett (Tour Guide)
Good: The first act consist of the characters introduction, all plot connections are placed accordingly, so that the audience can understand the details, etc. Ghostbusters did a wonderful job setting up the characters. At least it did for me. I could understand the frustrated Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) she tries to establish herself at the University of Columbia. Finally she will be recognized, she wants to hide the book, that was out on the Net, her paranormal book that she had written long ago is now her worst nightmare, and that could destroy her chances, she is up for tenure, a big deal at the University, and her career, that book could take it all away. But as her character is fleshed out, her past seems to haunt her; (A side note here, for all you people who did not get this part, i got it, not hard to understand). Continuing, from here Erin's book was suddenly on the internet by her friend from the past, Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy). The connection is there, the two lead characters are placed. The funny parts are both of them trying to convince the other, that their subject matter is important, while not listening to each other. Erin tries to convince Abby to take down the book from Amazon. At the same time Abby introduces her tech buddy, Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and her new partner. Abby wants Erin to continue what they had started many years ago, which is the belief in the paranormal, and everything that comes with it.
Here we have the exchanges between three characters, funny sequence, the film establishes the characters point of views, but collide because of their personal views which is funny. Again nothing wrong here, the characters are established, at least the three main one's are. Erin mentions the Aldridge haunting, which again connects the characters together, by establishing a cause, a moment to bring them together, which is their common love, ghosts. The ladies record a supernatural event at the mansion, it goes public therefore destroying Erin's career. She joins Abby and Jillian, the three ladies set up a base of operations, a Chinese restaurant, the new ghost hunting place; (A great moment here, everything is established, don't know why it got so much crap!). The really funny stupid Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) the new secertary that was worth seeing, Thor answering the phone is cool. Now lets introduce the MTA worker, Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) shows the ladies what happened at the train tracks, she even described the device she had seen. The fourth character is established. She mentions the device again and the dude that had scared her. the connection is there, The villain is also introduced, Rowan North, a geek with something up his sleeve. Or does he have something else in mind. So all the situations are introduced, everything is connected, again at least to me it is, that's the way i saw it. The characters, even the special effects were good, didn't have any issue with that. Remember this movie was based off of a 1984 film, the overall feel, and look of the original movie was there. The first film wasn't well received either, it was an 80's film. Also the sexist crap! that was out there, was completely wrong. Kevin was weird, funny, and stupid. Doesn't mean it was pointing out all men are stupid or whatever. "People need to get a life!" The main reason for this is because of writing, the story. Ever encountered a guy with an issue, problem? Well the film put that out there like all films do, so the critics, everyone who had said it, stated it, whatever is wrong." It's a movie, get a life and move on."
Bad: Between act 1 and 2 the film really does a great job in interactions, communications, establishing a plot, and just getting things into perspective. Now lets bring out the bad, it wasn't much, but it was enough to change you're mind, and that's a big deal, it can be a game changer. The fact that there was a way to capture the ghosts, and in the film it went it a huge scene to capturing a ghost that look like a huge gargoyle, great scene, but later they sort of forgot about the capturing part; Instead they destroyed them. Why? change, keep it old school. If there was a change then change it, explain why? and move on. At least give a definitive reasoning behind why the ladies captured at one moment and towards the end they went to a more destructive mannerism. Cool, but not enough to put the pieces together.
The other issue i had with this film is the way the cameos were done, it really didn't do these guys any justice. Have them in maybe a more prominent role, or don't invite them. I would've had Bill Murray as the bad guy, playing Rowan North instead of Martin Heiss, his cameo wasn't cool at all, he's all about comedy, use him correctly. Imagine Bill as the bad guy, his acting alone is incredible, so having him as a villain, would not just be cool, but paying homage to the original movie. Just my opinion guys, don't hate me for it Dan Aykroyd should've been the Mayor of the city, again, he's a comedic actor who could've done the movie justice in the role of the Mayor. Erine Hudson and Sigourney Weaver scenes were cool, they were placed well, bring the film together. The draw here is the 80's which sometimes it works, and sometimes it fall's short, depending on how you use it. A Nostalgic period, but if used incorrectly, it can destroy you're movie.
The Ugly: As we continue to break down the film i will go into act 3, which to me was very disappointing. The characters went from the crossing the streams, which was a big deal in the first film, to a ninja, Matrix like fighting action sequences. These gals are geeks, scientist, they investigate, they don't fight, period. The fight sequence really made no real sense, it was horrible. The film had a strong start to an even greater middle, but towards the end it fell short. The fight sequences were boring, and unstable, meaning they had no real direction in what the ending of the film should've been. The film lacked essence, especially the ending. The final act should be epic, not stale, and boring. I loved the way the characters connected, until they pulled the fight scenes. Remember the original Ghostbusters? It took these guys a while to capture Slimer, and even then each ghost was a task. If the film would've just kept the same path as act 1 and 2, the film would've been a complete joy. I guess it's our generation these days, the kids want action sequences, huge special effects, but overall this movie went Ape Sh*t! On act 3, and it killed the film.
The ending to the Ghostbusters film in 1984, they went up against the Stay-Pufted Marshmallow giant. The guys did the unthinkable, crossed the streams and defeated the bad guy. The guys knew how dangerous i was, and what was at stake. The feel to the re-make went from classic to almost B-movie. In fact some B-movies had more in their final act than this film had, and not for lack of trying, because they did do there thing, it just fell a part. The 3rd act must have some resolution, this film didn't really have an ending. maybe some, but it was all over the place. To me the ending had no real vibe, that's all. The bad guy controlling the police, was the only aspect that was done well. The bad guy was almost invisible, until he unleashed all the ghosts. The bad guy should've been seen, and heard, especially what he had planed.
All in all i would like to say this film wasn't as bad as critics said it was, i believe the trailer, got some bad vibes, and went from there. So how can you ever recover from that, when by opening day, critics, fans, who saw the screening in advance said it was a bad film. So going in box office wise, the film start was tarnished. Warcraft the film should've received a really bad rating, because it sucked, and in comparison to Ghostbusters this film is number #1 to me. I love it how folks like to trash a film with out even watching it. They judge a trailer, without ever going to see the film. In end i would say this film is good, but i mentioned what went wrong with it. The ending was disappointing, but at least the first 2 acts were good enough to keep me interested. Was the film degrading to men, no. I never got that feeling. And as for Leslie Jones who played Patty Tolan, her character was awesome. Her scenes were done well, and to me there was no negativity with her character at all, the woman is a great actress, so don't knock her. Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) was stupid, but big deal; Haven't you ever dealt with stupid people in you're lifetime, i mean it happens. Why? Does anyone care about his scenes.
The film may not be classic but it sure is decent enough to watch. Yeah the ending is horrible, but lets look at the Transformer franchise, some of those films really sucked, and yet it brought in some big numbers at the box office. The film to me was good enough to watch, it established a clear connection, and it deserves better than it received; I believe Political Correctness is and always shall be the downfall to our society. The movie had issues, but it wasn't sexist or anything like that. I could write a list of 100 films that could be deemed sexist. The problem here was the trailer, the critics that think they know it all from what? There point of you. Batman vs Superman, Suicide Squad great movies that were deemed horrible, but yet audiences around the globe disagreed with the so called critics. Take my word, and watch this film, you will love the first two acts, but as the film moves along it fell short. I leave it up to you. Rent it, watch it, at least you could have you're own side of the story.
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