Ghostbusters (1984) - A Movie Review

When there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who are you going to call?

Ghostbusters haunted its way into theaters in 1984. A group of men creates a business that removes ghosts from the public. Having their challenges along the way, an evil ghost threatens to take over all of New York.

Do you ever sing along when you hear the famous theme song to Ghostbusters? I know I do. I have always enjoyed watching Ghostbusters, especially in October. It is a fun tale about ghosts. Most importantly, Ghostbusters is a lesson about how to start your own business.

Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, the late Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson were excellent as the ghostbusters. They knew how to land comedy. Most of their scenes were actually improvisations. Because of their hilarious lines, they have become easily quotable.

Each man differs in personality but they find a way to collaborate. For example, Venkman is not so serious, Stantz is over-enthusiastic, and Spengler is the most serious of the group. Learning to tolerate your work partners is an important moral to showcase.

I will never get tired of Bill Murray’s deadpan remarks. His reactions and hilarious improvised lines are memorable. Dr. Peter Venkman is a humorous scientist showing the world that you can’t always be stereotypical.

The character of Winston (Hudson) has always felt unnecessary. Sources say that he was supposed to have a bigger part. So, why didn’t he? We hardly get to know Winston. Either he should have been introduced earlier or not at all. His character does not make sense to the story when the first half of the film is about the friendship of the trio.

Ghostbusters would not be what it is without the talents of Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, or Annie Potts. Potts is fantastic in her sarcastic deliveries. One of my favorite elements about the characters in Ghostbusters is that they act realistically. Sure, the story is over the top but they don’t stereotype personalities that we have seen before.

This was Weaver’s first film to showcase her comedic side. She did an incredible job bearing a different angle to the character she was normally typecast as. The role of Dana challenged her making her impersonate someone who is possessed by an evil spirit.

I have always been a fan of Rick Moranis. Louis is a nerdy but well-meaning man. He loves being himself which is his best trait. Like Weaver, he was also given the challenge to manifest a differing persona.

The special effects of Ghostbusters have not aged well over time. The CGI for the ghouls looks fake whenever they are seen running in the streets. Aside from that, the visual effects are creative. One famous puppetry special effect at the climax of the film scared me when I was a kid. It’s cool how the production team created it.

Ivan Reitman developed a fun ghost film for all audiences to enjoy. It is well written and flows in a fun imaginative angle. The actors did a great job connecting to their characters and bringing out this zany story for generations to enjoy.

Something that I never focused on before when watching Ghostbusters was the subplot of getting your own business on its feet. People can make their own business. It is tough, but you have to do everything to get your business’s name noticed.

Ghostbusters is a classic. No matter what, the jokes always make me laugh. If you have yet to see Ghostbusters, I suggest that you get on it, find it on TV, and give the Ghostbusters a call if you ever see a ghost.