I’m not one of the many people who consider the original Ghostbusters films to be all-time classics.
But, judging by the (largely negative) response the new film has endured since it was announced that the Ghostbusters were being re-cast as women (shock, horror), plenty of people still hold the two 1980s films near and dear to their heart.
It’s largely impossible to have grown up in the 80s or 90s and not know about the films or cartoon series, though, so I was at the very least intrigued to see what director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) had up his sleeve.
In a nutshell – at least as far as I’m concerned – it’s very much more of the same.
That’s because the new Ghostbusters isn’t great, but at the same time it’s not all that bad either. The best part of the near two-hour film is the four lead ladies themselves, who are let down by a pretty sub-standard story. This movie serves as an origin story for the quartet – and their relationships are the most interesting threads offered up.
Although I’ve not watched the original for quite some time, this franchise re-boot does borrow a lot from the 1984 cult hit – and includes a few pleasing cameos from the legendary cast members.
Kristen Wiig (Anchorman 2) and Melissa McCarthy (Spy) hold things together nicely as old school friends Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, while Kate McKinnon (Ted 2) brings the crazy as wacky inventor Jillian Holtzmann.
Completing the team is American comedian Leslie Jones as Patty Tolan, while a very funny Chris Hemsworth (Thor) acts as the film’s never-ending joke and loveable idiot… as well as being the girls’ receptionist.
While the pacing is all over the place, the basic premise of the film is pretty simple.
With spotting ghosts becoming more and more regular occurance in their New York home, the ‘ghost girls’ discover that somebody is trying to summon the ghosts across “from the other side” in a bid to bring about a something of a paranormal apocalypse.
With plenty out to discredit the team, they simply want to use science to prove that ghosts exist – and save the people of their city in the process.
How they get to the point of being able to save the city is the best part of the story, with the actual ghosts themselves and the rest of the characters (Hemsworth aside) feeling largely irrelevant.
Wiig and McCarthy play different roles than you’ll have seen them in before, with McCarthy putting in perhaps her first performance that doesn’t feel like it’ll be Marmite. The pair work well together and I thought both were superbly well cast.
McKinnon’s character is absolutely bonkers – and at times does feel like she’s in the wrong film. But, again, I thought she provided some excellent comic relief. Perhaps she would have benefitted from a bit more character development.
Jones absolutely nails her role as the only non-scientist member of the team, too.
As for Hemsworth, he’s perhaps the thickest character you’ll ever see in a film (and that’s saying something). It’s a big change up from his famed role as Thor – and he fully commits.
There are allsorts of other cameos too (as well as the original team members), including the likes of Andy Garcia, Michael Kenneth Williams and Charles Dance.
With the characters on point, it’s a shame that the story, pacing and visuals all let Ghostbusters down.
I must admit to getting a little bored by the time the film reached its conclusion – but, for the cast alone, I hope they get to do a sequel.
Considering how people felt about the Ghostbusters being women, they’ve at least shut the vocal minority up.
Voice Verdict: 6.5/10
+ The four ghost girls are great
+ Hemsworth is very funny
– Weak story
– Pacing is all over the place
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, July 22 to Thurs, July 28)
**STAR TREK BEYOND 2D (12A)
10am (daily), 12.20pm (daily), 3pm (daily), 5.40pm (daily)
**STAR TREK BEYOND 3D (12A)
8.40pm (daily)
**THE BFG 3D (PG)
10.20am (daily), 12.40pm (daily), 6pm (daily)
**THE BFG 2D (PG)
3.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
**JASON BOURNE (12A)
6pm (Wed/Thurs), 8.20pm (Wed/Thurs)
**ICE AGE 5: COLLISION COURSE 2D (U)
10am (not Sat/Wed), Noon (daily), 2.10pm (not Sun), 4.25pm (daily)
NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (12A)
8.40pm (not Sat/Weds/Thurs)
GHOSTBUSTERS 3D (12A)
1pm (daily), 3.30pm (daily), 6.10pm (not Weds/Thurs)
GHOSTBUSTERS 2D (12A)
8.45pm (daily)
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN 2D (12A)
6.20pm (not Sat)
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN 3D (12A)
8.45pm (not Mon)
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2D (U)
10am (daily), noon (not Sat/Wed), 2.10pm (daily), 4.15pm (not Sun)
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (15)
6.35pm (daily)
KIDS’ CLUB
Fri-Thurs 10.15am – The Jungle Book 3D (PG)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Now You See Me 2 (12A)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
