The trailer for the Ghostbusters reboot (sometimes subtitled Answer the Call) – featuring
four female Ghostbusters instead of four males, as what the original 1984 Ghostbusters had – has become the most
disliked movie trailer in Youtube history. There was much extensive displeasure for this
movie even before actually being released.
People were already hating the mere fact that this movie existed. As for me, I chose to reserve my judgment until
I could finally get to watch it, and now that I just did, here are my three
main assessments of the movie:
1.) It’s nowhere near deserving
of the hate it’s getting. It’s not atrocious
at all.
2.) However, it’s also nowhere
near the fun, charm, and wit of the original movie.
3.) It’s also not as good as what
the current Rotten Tomatoes score is telling (as of writing, 73% rating out of
160 reviews; for me, it should sit at around 60%).
I wasn’t particularly a very big Ghostbusters fan. As a kid, I first encountered the cartoon – The Real Ghostbusters – and just like
nearly all cartoons I watched in my childhood, I enjoyed it. But I didn’t know for a long time that it was
based on a film. I eventually saw the two
movies, and liked them, but preferred the cartoons more. However, I don’t have a strong nostalgic
attachment to the franchise.
Hence, I really didn’t mind that
it was going to be rebooted. Moreover, I
actually think having female Ghostbusters instead of males (as the original) was
a refreshing spin. I had no problems
with the idea of a reboot and its premise.
I was actually expecting that it’ll be an utter comedy delight since
Paul Feig (who directed Bridemaids, The Heat, and Spy) was helming it. My only
concern was if it’ll be any good by itself.
The plot centers on three
scientists that dabble in paranormal research – Dr. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig),
Dr. Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), and the eccentric but inventive engineer Dr.
Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) – who witness and document a ghost for the first
time. However, the academia dismisses the
authenticity of their findings, refuses their request for funding, and fires
them. Thus, to continue their research,
they form the “Department of the Metaphysical Examination” – though the public prefer
to call them the “Ghostbusters.” Soon,
they are joined by an MTA worker named Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), completing their
four-member roster, and they also hire a hunky dimwit named Kevin Beckman (Chris
Hemsworth) as receptionist. While
struggling to earn legitimacy in their work, they eventually find themselves
New York City’s only hope in stopping the apocalypse from being ushered in by an
army of ghosts.
The reboot has some noticeable
parallels with the original movie. It
also makes several allusions to the original – which didn’t thrill me at all,
since they weren’t done in a clever or subtle manner. I actually think it was a bit pathetic. The original cast also made cameos. But, again, I didn’t think the cameo roles given
to them were appropriate, necessary, and amusing. One funny but unfortunate thing is that, while watching, I easily predicted what Ernie Hudson’s cameo role would be.
As for the comedy, there are
chuckles. There’s some that worked. There’s some that made me cringed. Most of the humor is decent, but not
hilarious. Clearly, the comedy here is
not as great as what director Paul Feig accomplished in Bridesmaids, The Heat,
and Spy.
All in all, Ghostbusters is not despicable.
It doesn’t deserve the hate. However,
it isn’t brilliant either. It has splashes
of stupidity here and there. There are moments
and aspects to be enjoyed, and there are moments and aspects to be annoyed
of. But, all things considered, the
movie provides enough amusements and quirkiness to be considered entertaining. Also, I don’t mind if a sequel gets made – as
long as it’s better.
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