Movie Brief: Ghostbusters

Little humor in Ghostbusters Remake

Ghostbusters has been highly anticipated ever since it was announced that the film would hit the big screen featuring a female ghost-busting team. Melissa McCarthy leads the lineup, and I’ve got intel on how the movie measures up on my radar rating.

Plot: When a ghost is sighted in Manhattan, scientist Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) joins forces with former friend Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) to prove that ghosts do exist. Erin is seeking tenure at Columbia University and is initially reluctant. After a reunion with Abby and meeting quirky scientist Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), Erin decides to help them rid NYC of ghosts. Former subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) comes along for the paranormal ride after she’s chased by a ghost in the subway.

Engagement: If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Not these ghostbusters! Funny lady Melissa McCarthy delivers some laughs, but not enough to save this haunting version of the cult classic. Leslie Jones has her funny moments too, but Kate McKinnon’s over-the-top slapstick humor borders on obnoxious, while Kristen Wiig’s character barely has a pulse, let alone be funny. Then there’s another grave attempt at humor with the super dense (and dumb) receptionist Kevin (Chris Hemsworth), who’s the resident beefcake. The highlight of the comedic film were the appearances of cast members from the original including Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts.

Style: One redeeming element of this film is the costuming and special effects that makes the campiness a bit more humorous, such as the hearse turned ghost-mobile and the electrifying handheld ghost-trapping machines that lasso the ghosts.

Release: July 15th

Image source: Columbia Pictures