by Megan Hess
Although 2016 still has a few months left in it, I think it is fair to say the new Ghostbusters reboot is the most polarizing movie of the year. Die-hard (mostly male) fans of the original mourned this “bastardization” of their beloved classic and swore it would be nothing less than a horrendous mess. Female entertainment writers and feminists cheered the idea of a woman-centered remake, predicting a fantastic success. In the end, both sides managed to get their way…somewhat. Ghostbusters (Feig, 2016) performed poorly at the box office, dashing fans’ hopes for a sequel and making the people who predicted its failure cackle with glee. At the same time, the film received mixed critical reviews – not all good, but not all bad, either. The reviewers who praised the film spoke highly of its strengths.
In my opinion, Ghostbusters 2016 was one of the summer’s best comedies that did not get the praise (or revenue) it deserved. The Internet put an unfair amount of pressure on the cast and crew. Ghostbusters 2016 got put in a double bind: if it deviated too much from the original, fans would complain it was not staying true to the spirit of Ghostbusters, but if it imitated its predecessor too much, then it is just trying to be a gender-swapped copy. While certainly not perfect by any means, labeling Ghostbusters as the worst film ever made – or even the worst reboot ever made – is unfair. While the basic storyline isn’t anything earth-shattering in itself (instead of “boy meets girl,” think “girl meets ghost” times four), the cast – a perfect blend of old and new – elevates it.
In my opinion, Ghostbusters 2016 was one of the summer’s best comedies that did not get the praise (or revenue) it deserved. The Internet put an unfair amount of pressure on the cast and crew. Ghostbusters 2016 got put in a double bind: if it deviated too much from the original, fans would complain it was not staying true to the spirit of Ghostbusters, but if it imitated its predecessor too much, then it is just trying to be a gender-swapped copy. While certainly not perfect by any means, labeling Ghostbusters as the worst film ever made – or even the worst reboot ever made – is unfair. While the basic storyline isn’t anything earth-shattering in itself (instead of “boy meets girl,” think “girl meets ghost” times four), the cast – a perfect blend of old and new – elevates it.
The team captures their first ghost at a heavy-metal concert (Ghostbusters, Feig 2016)
After years of studying, writing, and networking, Erin Gilbert (Kristin Wiig) is finally up for tenure at Columbia University. However, fate intervenes, and she is forced to give up the job she thought she loved for her true dream. Instead of teaching physics to a lecture hall full of coeds, she ends up trekking all over New York City chasing down ghosts. If that sounds like a tough job for someone insulated from the world in the ivory tower of academia, fortunately, she has an unforgettable crew of ladies to back her up: her former best friend (and fellow co-author of Ghosts from Our Past (Both Literally and Figuratively): The Study of the Paranormal) Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), former MTA employee \ ghost neophyte Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), and Abby’s new research partner, zany engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon). As they battle ghosts, the team’s friendship is a bastion against the world’s disbelief – even as they have to save it from a power-crazed loner (Neil Casey) intent on bringing ghosts from the spirit realm into the human world to wreak havoc.
After years of studying, writing, and networking, Erin Gilbert (Kristin Wiig) is finally up for tenure at Columbia University. However, fate intervenes, and she is forced to give up the job she thought she loved for her true dream. Instead of teaching physics to a lecture hall full of coeds, she ends up trekking all over New York City chasing down ghosts. If that sounds like a tough job for someone insulated from the world in the ivory tower of academia, fortunately, she has an unforgettable crew of ladies to back her up: her former best friend (and fellow co-author of Ghosts from Our Past (Both Literally and Figuratively): The Study of the Paranormal) Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), former MTA employee \ ghost neophyte Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), and Abby’s new research partner, zany engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon). As they battle ghosts, the team’s friendship is a bastion against the world’s disbelief – even as they have to save it from a power-crazed loner (Neil Casey) intent on bringing ghosts from the spirit realm into the human world to wreak havoc.
Erin (Kristin Wiig, right) isn't sure what to think of Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon, left) on first meeting her (Ghostbusters, Feig 2016)
Ghostbusters is fun viewing for several reasons (like the team’s cool ghost-busting gadgets and goofy dance moves) – all that never would have come to pass with a different cast and crew. While I would have loved to see a woman direct Ghostbusters - in an ideal world, Nora Ephron, but she unfortunately passed away in 2012 – Paul Feig was a good choice to lead the project, considering he specializes in female-centric comedies. He and Katie Dippold reunited for Ghostbusters, the first film they’ve worked on together since The Heat (Feig, 2013). Despite its lack of Sandra Bullock, Ghostbusters is stronger and better than this female buddy comedy. At times, it almost feels like a more refined version of what The Heat tried to accomplish – people overcoming their differences to work towards a common goal, and becoming close friends in the process – but with less of Feig’s signature raunchy humor. Releasing the film as PG-13 was probably a good choice from a financial\ marketing perspective, but seeing Feig’s crass and cheeky humor at its best in Bridesmaids (Feig, 2011) and Spy (Feig, 2015) made me wish for an R-rated cut of Ghostbusters.
Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) plays a practical joke on her teammmate Erin while they search the basement of a theater for ghosts (Ghostbusters, Feig 2016)
However, Ghostbusters does not need adult jokes to make its audience laugh. The cast has enviable chemistry in the way their personalities play off each other. (It helps that they have all been on Saturday Night Live as either guest stars or cast members.) They are all hilarious, and all in completely different ways. Kristin Wiig can do ‘serious’ characters well, which makes her a good fit for the type-A Erin Gilbert. Conversely, Kate McKinnon’s off-the-cuff one-liners and giftedness in physical comedy, as well as her overall irreverent demeanor means that only she could play Jillian Holtzmann. Leslie Jones brings her signature enthusiastic energy to playing Patty Tolan, while Melissa McCarthy’s Abby Yates has the same sweet core as all of her most well-known characters. Instead of boxing their cast into prescribed character archetypes, Feig and Dippold let the leads be themselves, which I believe is the essence of what makes Ghostbusters so relatable and endearing. One exception, of course, is Chris Hemsworth, who does a delightful take on the “dumb blonde secretary” trope. He so rarely gets to play comedic roles (aside from a few one-liners in the Avengers films) that it seems a little jarring at first, but then becomes a perfect fit. Hopefully Ghostbusters’ bad press did not sink Hemsworth’s comedy career…..
As the Ghostbusters' lovably dim-witted secretary Kevin, Hemsworth may look like Clark Kent, but he has none of the character's intellect (Ghostbusters, Feig 2016)
For all its successes, Ghostbusters, like every film, has its flaws. While the cast could not be better, some of the actual scripted jokes do not have their same charm. Most of the cameos and moments winking at the original feel forced and flat – except for Sigourney Weaver’s post-credit appearance as Holtzmann’s former mentor. This might cause some to debate if Ghostbusters really did its job – to which I would counter, what was its job? If the intent with Ghostbusters was to make a pleasurable cinematic experience under the umbrella of the brand name, I would say it succeeded. Unfortunately, with its box-office records, the Ghostbusters team will not have a chance to fix its mistakes from the first movie through a sequel – so enjoy every minute of Kate McKinnon as Jillian Holtzmann, because it probably will never happen again.
Will the millennial Ghostbusters make an impact equal to its 80s’ forefather? Unlikely. However, that does not make it unwatchable. On the contrary – not watching Ghostbusters means missing out on a fun, frenetic, comedy about female friendship…plus ghosts.
Will the millennial Ghostbusters make an impact equal to its 80s’ forefather? Unlikely. However, that does not make it unwatchable. On the contrary – not watching Ghostbusters means missing out on a fun, frenetic, comedy about female friendship…plus ghosts.
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