Ghostbusters
Pop culture phenomenons happen all the time nowadays in our spoonfed entertainment media, but to have something still retain its âcoolnessâ factor almost 30 years later is a rare thing indeed. But, that is what has happened with this release from 1984, a convergence of some of the best and most brilliant minds in comedy at the time, including director Ivan Reitman and writers / co-stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. While every era of film has their share of great comedies (the tepid output of the last ten years notwithstanding), this is something that may possibly stand at the top of many knowledgeable film buffsâ lists as maybe the greatest from any era. The plot involves three defrocked parapsychology professors tossed out of their university who decide to go into business as paranormal investigators and eliminators, only to find themselves faced with a possible world ending situation that only they can handle, all while facing accusations of being frauds from an obnoxious EPA official (a refreshing, and still relevant choice for an antagonist). While certainly being accused of conning people is understandable (just look at the detestable Warren couple in real life), the fact is that these guys are on the level, but theyâre just wildly unconventional types who are brilliantly written, developed, and given enough time to wonderfully flesh out their characters, starting with Bill Murrayâs Peter Venkman, certainly a hustler on many levels, but also a hilarious wiseass who never loses his cool or shows any fear even in the face of Armageddon, and the fact that Murray basically adlibbed his way through the role is testament to his comic genius, even as Murray himself sadly has distanced himself from the franchise in pursuit of more serious roles. Then we have Aykroydâs Ray Stantz, a guy with an almost childlike mindset as seen in both his enthusiasm as well as his penchant for making the dumbest mistakes, and certainly one of the most underrated when it comes to great movie comedy characters. Next up is Ramisâ Egon Spengler, whom it would seem to some people is basically a prick, but really is just so detached from reality in his own extremely highly intellectual world that he doesnât seem to realize his occasional bouts of rudeness, but nonetheless these qualities are what makes nearly every line of dialogue that comes out of his mouth absolutely hilarious. And finally we have Ernie Hudsonâs Winston Zeddmore, given the least amount of screentime in the movie but making the most of it not only with some great lines (including the best one in the movie), but with the fact of how relatable he is, the normal, working class schmoe brought in as a utility fourth man on the team, and finding a way to figure out what he needs to do among these PHD possessing crazies as he takes part in the big climax. In all, it might very well be the best team of heroes in cinema history, showing equal parts hilarity, resourcefulness, and yes, even badassery in the final showdown against an ancient Sumerian God revived in New York Cityâs Central Park West. In other roles, Sigourney Weaver brings some sultriness to a beautiful client who winds up being possessed; Rick Moranis scores as perhaps the greatest movie nerd character in cinema history when his apartment is the doorway to the next dimension; Annie Potts gets some smiles as the harried secretary for the team; and William Atherton as the sniveling EPA rep is certainly detestable to a tee. In addition, we get Oscar nominated special effects that actually help to enhance the comedic elements of the story, an unforgettable theme song that people are still singing and dancing to today, a tendency to remember one of the great oldschool rules to true comedy is to have your heroes lay waste to everything in sight (as seen during a call to a fancy hotel), and what is probably the greatest sight gag in the history of comedy, the very sight of which will have you laughing for five minutes straight when the Sumeran God assumes the form of the being that it will destroy the world with. Overall, one of the essential films you should show your kids as they get into movies, and a no-brainer when referring to it as basically The Star Wars Of ComedyâŚ
10/10