Who're ya gonna call?

Rating: 10/10 (28 January 2010)

Ghostbusters is easily on of the best films from the 80s. It is a sci-fi action comedy that can match Back to Future for popularity. It was a film that was Bill Murphy's first commercial success and it had a successful sequel and spin-off cartoon series.
Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are scientists working at a New York University who study paranormal activity. They loose their position, being seen as a menace to the university who focus on popularity rubbish and not real science. The three decide to continue their research themselves, and to help fund it they form their own business, a ghost extermination services, the Ghostbusters. After they first successful capture they become instant celebrities and their business booms. One resident of New York, Dian Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), suffers a particularly bad ghost infestation, with an ancient demi-god tormenting her. She hires the Ghostbusters, who discover that all the ghostly activities were linked and including in the city.
So what makes Ghostbusters work? Lots of things, a script with a good story, jokes and gags, with Ivan Reitman skill with action and special effects. The effects were spectacular for its time. It was easily Ivan Reitman's best film. What really works for this film is the cast. Bill Murray offers an excellent deadpan performance, having great timing with his jokes, showing why he is one of best comedic actor from America. Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis are also excellent comedic performers, having a different approach to Murphy. I enjoyed Annie Potts as the gruff, tough native New Yorker. Sigourney Weaver also rarely stars in a bad film. She beings in an originality person's perspective to the film. It would have been easy for this film to fall into slapstick territory; but luckily the writers and director avoid this trap, using more clever vebral gags and sharp wit, making the film a funny experience.
This is a rare example that big budget comedy can work. It's a must see.