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Three decades on, Ghostbusters is still as hilarious, spooky and marvellous as ever: an absolute hoot of a horror-comedy engineered by talented moviemakers in the prime of their careers. Directed by Ivan Reitman (Stripes) and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, it's a grandiose spectacle of comedy and special effects enhanced by sharp, quotable dialogue and a pitch-perfect cast. Ghostbusters was an unexpected box office smash upon its release in the summer of 1984, grossing almost $300 million worldwide against its $30 million budget, and it still feels fresh and original in 2013. With its spot-on tone, absurd plot devices, hysterical one-liners, gut-busting physical humour and over-the-top performances, it's no wonder that movie-goers keep calling on Ghostbusters for their entertainment needs well into the 21st Century.
Kicked out of Columbia University after their funding is pulled, parapsychology scientists Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Ramis) decide to go freelance, setting up a ghost removal service and calling themselves the "Ghostbusters." Operating out of an abandoned firehouse and seeing a steady increase in demand for their services, the gang also recruit a sardonic receptionist named Janine (Annie Potts), as well as a fourth member named Winston (Ernie Hudson), who does not have a science background but needs a job. The Ghostbusters are soon approached by Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), a beautiful cellist who notices strange supernatural happenings in her apartment building. After Dana and her nerdy neighbour, Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), are possessed by supernatural entities, it's up to the Ghostbusters to save New York City from destruction at the hands of Gozer the Gozerian.
Most of the movie's comedy is generated from the interactions and conversations between the main characters, who seem to disperse an endless array of witty dialogue. For a PG-rated film, the script is surprisingly risqué, though most of these gags will probably fly over kids' heads while adults will have a hearty laugh. On top of the intelligent bantering, Ghostbusters delivers terrific situational comedy and an all-around charm and zaniness that feel spontaneous instead of forced. The narrative also has an excellent flow; perhaps no filmmaker other than Reitman could smoothly transition from an ominous standoff with a demigod to a goofy battle involving a Godzilla-like giant marshmallow man. Additionally, Reitman keeps the proceedings somewhat grounded and establishes real stakes; the Terror Dogs are pretty unnerving, and there are scares amid the laughs. But while there are serious moments, the film keeps the comedy coming thanks to funny bantering and the hammy nature of the creatures (see the iconic Slimer or the gigantic Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man). The only real problem with Ghostbusters is a subplot involving an environmentalist played by William Atherton (Die Hard). It's too much of a standard-order story thread, and it occasionally threatens to spoil the fun. However, Atherton's presence does pave the way for numerous comical exchanges.
Contemporary spoof movies and comedies are not often skilfully assembled, yet Ghostbusters is bursting with talent in terms of cinematography, editing and direction. The opening library scene is a masterpiece of deliberate pacing and tension, and one can't help but smile when the theme kicks in and the title appears on-screen. It's an immaculate opening for the picture. Similarly, the cinematography is unusually strong throughout, with a careful eye towards composition and lighting, which makes the movie look interesting and moody. Ghostbusters is a special effects-heavy production, with numerous ghosts and creatures appearing throughout. Most of the practical effects stand up to this day, while the more obvious effects shots (specifically the green-screen compositing) only amplify the film's charm and absurdity. The stop-motion animation and puppetry for the ghostly creatures do look goofy, but it all still works in the context of a screwball comedy. With modern filmmakers overusing CGI, there's something endearing about watching old-school effects from a different era, with matte paintings, optical shots, vast sets, models and puppets. Also exceptional is Elmer Bernstein's score, which captures the essence of the film and sets the tone for every scene; it's playful, light-hearted and comedic, yet the music is also foreboding at times to underscore the horror elements. The superb technical execution of Ghostbusters is precisely why comedies from this era are superior and more respected than their modern counterparts: it feels like a proper film pulled off with genuine skill and care instead of a slapdash creation thrown together by a bunch of juvenile filmmakers.
The screenplay makes fantastic use of the cast, playing well to each performer's strengths and inviting improvisation. The Ghostbusters gang carries a terrific camaraderie as if they've been friends for years, which helps us feel comfortable whenever they interact on-screen. Bill Murray is at his comedic best here with his deadpan delivery, sarcasm and witticisms shining through in every scene. Nobody does humour quite like Murray - he's an enormous asset to the picture. Meanwhile, Ramis is a top-notch straight man, delivering the science-heavy exposition with abandon and charm. Then there's Aykroyd, who absolutely nails his role and provides several big laughs. The last of the four central Ghostbusters is Hudson, who ably fulfils his duties as the token black guy and shares fantastic chemistry with the other three boys. The role of Winston was initially written with Eddie Murphy in mind, but the actor choosing to star in Beverly Hills Cop resulted in Hudson's casting. Also worth mentioning is the side-splitting Potts as the Ghostbusters' receptionist, who is responsible for numerous comedic highlights. Weaver, who holds her own against her fellow actors, and Moranis, who's never been funnier, round out the cast.
Wonderfully executed and smartly written, Ghostbusters is a seminal '80s comedy that stands the test of time and deserves to be seen, even by those who do not usually enjoy movies of this vintage. The production is the rare result of the right creative minds doing what they do best at the right time, creating a lightning-in-a-bottle blockbuster flaunting the perfect mix of comedy and horror. Much of the iconography throughout Ghostbusters remains memorable all these decades later, from the instantly recognisable monsters and ghosts to Ray Parker Jr.'s smash hit theme song that is now a staple at annual Halloween parties. Even though it spawned an inferior second film and an atrocious 2016 remake, we still have this first film, and we can be forever thankful for that.
9.1/10
