Movie Review: "Ghostbusters" (1984)

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Movie: "Ghostbusters"
Director: Ivan Reitman
Year:1984
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

3 university scientists, Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Akroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), specialize in the study of the paranormal. After encountering a ghost that has been haunting a local library, Egon is able to build a system for capturing and containing ghosts. Just as they make their biggest breakthrough, the University revokes their grant and cuts their funding. Peter gets the idea of becoming freelance paranormal investigators and exterminators. He convinces Ray to mortgage his childhood home in order to raise capital for the business. After leasing an old firehouse and developing all of their specialized equipment, they open for business. Business is shaky at first, and the group only gains one client early on: a concert cellist named Dana Barrat (Sigourney Weaver), who is quite skeptical of their abilities. Despite early troubles, business eventually starts to boom, so much so they must hire a 4th Ghostbuster, Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). He joins Ray, Peter, and Egon in trapping ghosts all around New York city. 

This post is bittersweet following the passing of Harold Ramis.

BigJ and I watched this when we had the flu because it never fails to make us smile. What else is there to be said about such a classic, quotable film? From its catchy theme song to its hilarious cast and, of course, the Stay Puft marshmallow, "Ghostbusters" is one of those movies we will never stop watching. Every single person in this movie is wonderful in their roles and they all mesh together so well. It has slapstick, it has puns, it has Bill Murray's famous dry line delivery, it has Rick Moranis and his nerdish quirkiness, it has the ever-flawless Sigourney Weaver....really, what's not to love?? Back when this movie was made, it was pretty groundbreaking as far as special effects go. The use of stop-motion animation is great, and everything from the demon dogs to the ghosts are executed very well. There's not much else to say about this fantastic movie that hasn't already been said. It's just as good now as it was when BigJ was a kid. I am a late convert to the Ghostbusters train, but it is a more than welcome and happy ride.

People who don't like this movie are crazy and should have their heads examined.

My Rating: 8.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 10/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!