Ghostbusters [PG]

When the university ceases to fund their questionable field, Drs Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler take up residence in an abandoned firehouse and become Ghost Busters: qualified exterminators of paranormal pests. Their timing proves impeccable as the city of Manhattan is buzzing with paranormal activity due to a coming form of Judgment Day which the heroes will have to come, see, and kick its ass!  

If there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS! 

Ah this movie is genius. The special effects may be a bit dated, but Ghostbusters is a comedy of cult proportions with its memorable characters, fantastic script, and irresistible theme song by Ray Parker Jr. 

When the university ceases to fund their questionable field, Drs Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler take up residence in an abandoned firehouse and become Ghost Busters: qualified exterminators of paranormal pests. Their timing proves impeccable as the city of Manhattan is buzzing with paranormal activity due to a coming form of Judgment Day which the heroes will have to come, see, and kick its ass! 

The movie itself, written by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis (both of whom also star in the film) is a fantastically original and simple idea: why can’t ghosts be seen as just another pest like rats or cockroaches? The thinking is one hundred percent logical and then opens the door to heaps of comedic interpretations. The movie then gets its claws through the slightly religious faction of the story; the sudden burst of paranormal activity acting as a sign of the inevitable Judgement Day. Although not put forth frankly, the writing harbours some almost satirical hints of a religious hue and it was great to see that element successfully blended into a science fiction comedy. 

Admittedly, watching the movie now, the special effects are a bit dated, but back in the glory day of 1984, Richard Edlund, John Bruno, Mark Vargo, and Chuck Gaspar were all nominated for the Academy Award for special visual effects. 

The character makeup and chemistry is priceless with the trio of heroes comprising of an overeager loveable dimwit, a ruthless nerd, and a cynical and egotistical “leading” man, who was played most perfectly by Bill Murray. Seriously, the movie was about Bill; he had all the best lines and he even stole the spotlight away from the giant stampeding marshmallow man that threatens to destroy humanity. 

Starring Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, and William Atherton, Ghostbusters is a fantastically timeless movie that simply has no expiration date. Filled with science fiction, romance, horror, obvious special effects, and plenty of comedy, it really is a classic! 

If there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS! If there’s something weird and it don’t look good, who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS! I ain’t afraid of no ghost. 

We came, we saw, WE KICKED ITS ASS!