It’s 2016 and I’ve just been to see a Ghostbusters film. What is this madness?
A lot has been made of the decision to “reboot” such an 80’s classic and with an all-female team of ghost hunters no less. If we’re frank, most of the comments about its impending release have been negative, or at least these are the easier ones to remember.
I’m only touching upon this stuff because I want to focus on the way the film made me feel but the way Leslie’s been treated is appalling. And while I doubt justice can be served to an army of cowards hiding behind their keyboards, I hope she’s engulfed in love and continues to feel great pride in what she’s accomplished with this film. Because it’s fucking ace.
I’m not reviewing in the traditional sense, nor giving anything away because that would be foolish. I hope everyone goes to see this film, even if they have misgivings because it has been joyful to tap back into my childhood for a few hours. As with the whole Pokémon Go phenomenon, I think we’re learning recently that there’s a huge space in our lives reserved just for nostalgia. I blame Trump, British Politics and all the violence in the world, in no particular order.
But to the film. If I were asked to review in just three words, I would say:
Loved. Every. Minute
I did. I smiled like a dufus from beginning to end and threw my head back to laugh out loud a hundred times. Sure, sometimes I was guffawing at a fart joke but what else do you need on a balmy Hump day evening?
The writing overall is very strong and of course it is, it’s written not only by Paul “Bridesmaids” Feig but also Kate Dippold who has Parks & Recreation (2009) and The Heat (2013) under her belt. It is a female-centric film with gender reversal very much at the forefront but it’s done well and is never mean or dismissive.
Chris Hemsworth‘s Kevin the Receptionist for example is objectified to the hilt but in the nicest possible way and even though his prettiness far outweighs his intellect, he never feels 2D and that’s skillful writing if you ask me.
The ladies are spectacular and I have huge affection for each of them. McCarthy is gorgeous, Jones is hilarious and wonderfully expressive. Wiig brings vulnerability to the role of Erin Gilbert while making me really buy into her childhood history with BFF Abby Yates while Kate McKinnon, lovely, lovely Kate, adds an injection of kook to engineer extraordinaire Dr. Jillian Holtzmann.
Holtzmann, FYI has caused the internet to implode with lust, as gay and heterosexual women the world over are crushing hard all over her character. While her sexuality is not openly stated at any point, we’ve given enough material to reach our own conclusion. My conclusion is that it’s fucking awesome to see four interesting woman helm a movie without a sniff of patronising love story on the horizon. In fact, scrub that, the love story is about their unswerving loyalty to one another.
Twitter also remarked that this is probably the first film you’ll see that doesn’t make you feel bad about your body and it’s true. I loved seeing big bodies onscreen and I, for one, am stoked Melissa McCarthy is out there being an attractive, sexual and funny fat woman who gets shit done while being someone I can identify with.
(Also, two posts on this blog mentioning Kristen Wiig and McCarthy in a row. You’re welcome).
Honestly, I’m not here to criticise this movie in any way, I’m just not going to do it. The effects take me right back to 1984, the acting is hammy where it needs to be (the main villain) and the music, oh god that theme – it’s still everything. The cameos were also fun but I don’t want to spoiler them.
I’ll sign off here just by saying that I’m glad this is such a strong film. Those haters are going to hate regardless but I’m delighted it touched me the way it did. So far I’ve heard nothing but praise for these modern-day Ghostbusters, which was respectful to its forefathers by taking its own path and I’m closing my ears to anything but because I don’t care.
It. Was. Incredible. I was impressed from top to bottom. Not a dull moment. Not a flat line. They are all at the top of their game.
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It was magnificent, they are magnificent. I’m still on such a high and that’s magic xo
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Great movie and nice review. I thought it was hilarious and a lot of fun. It’s so sad the movie was targeted by angry men with nothing better to do, who hadn’t even seen it. Because this was a worthy follow up to the original and I loved seeing the original cast’s cameos (while wishing Harold Ramis had been alive to make an appearance).
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Thanks Sean for reading it. I’m still thinking about it. Isn’t that always the way, people so often have opinions on things they’ve not even seen for whatever reason. It really is up there with the 1984 film. Honestly, it transported me back to being seven again and I loved it. Real shame about Ramis, I agree but Dan Ackroyd and Ernie more than made up for it. Not sure how I feel about Bill Murray, but at least he showed up! xoxo
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I was really pleased with the representation of Jillians in popular culture. Kate McKinnon was a standout to me too, but all of the characters were beautifully portrayed.
Teensy criticism is that I thought it would be funnier considering all the comedic talent in this, but still enjoyed it a lot.
I’m hoping Hollywood “ruins” The Expendables next with an all female cast!
Men are the worst. Correction: 30-year-old man-children with internet access are the worst.
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I would be so stoked if we got an all female Expendables: imagine it – Linda Hamilton, Angelina Jolie, The Woman from Mega Shark Vs. Mecha Shark, Salma Hayek, Sigourney Weaver… Oh my!
I thought it was really funnier but I think in a way I get your point, I wonder if some of it was reigned in a bit, it was subtle humour in some ways. I really enjoyed when they were reading the comments on their YouTube videos. Also when the main monster got hit in the nuts xo
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*funny
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YES, that scene with the YouTube comments was the greatest little “fuck you” to haters.
Bring it on, Expendables! Also any mafia movie just to piss off a bunch of men.
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Yes. Goodfellas, that’d kill ’em dead 😂😂😂
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Ps. It’s all about the Jillians! ❤
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I really really want to see it, and this review has made me even more excited! Going to try and persuade The Boy this weekend! X
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Oh my God, HM, I haven’t stopped thinking about it, it feels like such a victory. It was so great and I’m in love with it. Please see it and let me know what you think! Also, hope The Boy enjoys it too xoxo
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