Ghostbusters (1984) Review

Ghostbusters (1984) 

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver

    Well. In a year full of anniversaries of some of my favorite film franchises and characters, we finally now come to the one I might be the most excited about. Ghostbusters is 35, so you know I have to talk about it. The basic plot is that 3 scientists decide to create a ghost extermination business and end up saving the world. Obviously, that’s a very bare bones synopsis, but its simplicity allows for more complex elements on top of the story to really stand out. But I’m getting ahead of myself. When diving into what makes Ghostbusters work, one must start with the script. Written by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis, the script is the excellent blending of snappy scientific based jokes and the dry, cynical humor. Once you have that then you add in some of the funniest comedic actors at the top of their game. To me, Bill Murray has never had a more perfect role. His comedic turn as rip off, con artist Dr. Peter Venkman completely steals the show, and has all the best lines. So, I want to focus more on some of the other performances. One is the late Harold Ramis as Dr. Egon Spengler has some of my favorite underrated moments. Whether it’s not testing the unlicensed nuclear accelerators on their backs or interacting with Louis Tully, it’s all memorable.  The other is the incredible underrated Rick Moranis as Louis Tully. I love all the little details that make up the character and his performance. Like always getting locked out of his apartment or inviting all his clients to a party so he can get a tax write off. But if you cut out the fantastic performances and witty banter, you’re left with a comedy about the struggles of owning and operating a business. Some of my favorite jokes deal with this. Dan Akroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stanz having to take out a third mortgage on his parents’ house to finance their operations. The Ghostbusters eating Chinese food using up the last of the petty cash. To me these are all emblematic of Ghostbusters’ biggest strength, the fantastical elements of ghosts mixed with the everyday mundanity of life. Ernie Hudsons’ character Winston Zeddemore sums this up perfectly when he’s asked whether or not he believes in ghosts with the iconic line, “If there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say.” This is core makeup of the lightning in the bottle that is Ghostbusters. Something that the horribly embarrassing Ghostbusters remake and many others have been powerless to recreate. At this point I should probably tell you what I think of Ghostbusters itself. But if you’ve made it this far you already know. To me this is one of the best made comedies of all time, and I highly encourage anyone to see it as soon as possible. Before I go, I want to briefly talk about the rating of this movie. It’s rated PG, but you have to keep in mind that this was before PG-13 existed and back when PG meant something. So just know that there is going to be more swearing then usual PG flicks.