Through “Ghostbusters” (2016), Paul Feig, known for “Spy” (2015) and “Bridesmaids” (2011), has imbued a classic film with a touch of the 21st century while still holding true to much of the original film’s recognizable structure. Feig has featured Melissa McCarthy in many of his top feature films. McCarthy has a history of appearing as the strong female lead and is a perfect fit for this light hearted film.
From her time on “Gilmore Girls” to her work in “Ghostbusters” (2016), she remains a model for other women in her field.
“Ghostbusters” (2016) is a reinvention of a classic film featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts. Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), a scientist in New York, spends her life seeking the spectral with Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), a fellow scientist.
When Yates and Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), her estranged friend and classmate, are reunited by a series of phantasmic events, they discover a breakthrough allowing them to capture ghosts. Soon after they get settled in their new offices above Yates’ favorite Chinese restaurant, they hire a slow secretary, Kevin (Chris Hemsworth). After their second encounter with a ghost, Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), a subway worker, becomes an unexpected addition to the team, bringing her unique knowledge of the city to exterminating ghosts.
This formidable team works hard to thwart Rowan North’s plot to release millions of ghosts onto earth. After his quick and unexpected death, his spirit returns and controls Kevin.
Ultimately, as one might expect, the team of women claim victory, saving New York from the hoard of specters.
Despite the prominence of females in the field of science, there are certain factors which are less than flattering.
Kevin, a male secretary, causes Gilbert, a well-respected scientist, to lose her wits on multiple occasions. In a great attempt to create a female-empowered film, Hollywood still finds a way to slide in stereotypes and undermine women.
Also, in both Ghostbusters movies, African American characters are in occupations widely considered to be inferior to the roles of their white counterparts. Ernie Hudson in the original played the extra laborer trying to acquire a job and possesses no higher education or knowledge of science.
Leslie Jones makes her appearance in the reinvented movie as a subway worker. While not in good taste, Hudson’s role was not uncommon for the times; however, modern awareness calls for a change.
Comedic relief is the best way to describe the film.
The movie effectively satirizes the roles in the original film. The stereotypical gender roles are reversed. In “Ghostbusters” (2016), the intelligent scientists are played by women and a man plays the clueless secretary.
For the real throwbacks in the cinematic world, the movie contains many cameo appearances: Bill Murray as a ghost debunker, Annie Potts as the hotel desk operator, Dan Aykroyd as a cab driver, Slimer as a ghost, Staypuft (Marshmallow man), Ernie Hudson as Tolan’s Uncle and hearse owner, and Sigourney Weaver as Holtzmann’s mentor.
Even Harold Ramis, who died in 2014, appears in the form of a statue at Colombia University. In addition to characters, the original logo and firehouse were brought back. The firehouse eventually became the Ghostbusters’ workspace.
Ultimately, this film brimming with comedians and top-notch actors is a must see. No movie is perfect and rarely do remakes rival the original; however, Ghostbusters (2016) comes close. For both those who loved the original and those who are new to the franchise seeking a genuine comedy, this film has something for everybody.