Should be the benchmark to any contemporary big budget film-maker

Rating: 9/10 (3 November 2011)

It's symptomatic of many a big budget, box office blockbuster that the film itself, it's plot (if there is one)and character end up playing second fiddle to the awesome and costly special effects. It seems that many top Hollywood film-makers seem content to show of their flashy special visuals rather than competently entertain it's audience and tell a solid, coherent story. It's as if they're practically throwing their over-sized bank balance at us and saying "Look how much money I've got!". Perhaps then that it's feasible that contemporary big shot movie producers should be forced to be sat down sometime and watch "Ghostbusters". A movie that to my mind and many others rates as one of the most iconic pictures of the 1980's. Rivalling such other blockbuster's of the era as "Back to the Future" and "Gremlins" for it's sheer iconography. Although for my money it pits each movie to the post for it's original, adroit, self knowing screenplay which was the brainchild of comic actor/writers Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis. Two men who respectively cut their teeth working on comedy sketch shows "Saturday Night Live" and "SCTV"
A sublime celebration of the Horror Comedies of the 1940's and 50's which included "Hold that Ghost" and "The Ghost Breakers". The film's basic but innovative premise revolved around three parapsychologists who are drummed out of the University which finances their studies due to their outlandish theories. Now officially unemployed and their reputations being seemingly left in tatters they never the less endeavour to go in to business for their own. As due to recent scientific findings after a fortuitous if not hair-raising encounter with a ghostly apparition leads to the conclusion that it's possible to trap and contain a ghost indefinitely. This leading them to take the cue to go in to business for themselves as supernatural "pest controllers" and calling themselves "Ghostbusters".
The concept was one so offbeat that it might have very well fallen flat on it's face in the hands of lesser accomplished, comedic minds. But in the capable hands of both Ackroyd and Ramis it proved arguably to be the most lucrative and proud achievement of their individual careers. It's success led it to spawn a (admittedly inferior) sequel, an animated kids TV series and a slew of merchandise with a more recent video game having proving to be a financial hit on the gaming market.
It's also proved to be a fittingly effective vehicle for the sardonic, comic talents of one Bill Murray who was cast in the now legendary and popular role of Peter Venkman. One that was earmarked for the late John Belushi who would have seemed the obvious choice given that he was riding on the coattails of his success with friend and co-star Ackroyd in the cult musical comedy "The Blues Brothers". Tragically however it was not to be and in a bitter-sweet twist of fate it proved to be master-stroke that Murray would be cast. For it's nigh impossible to picture anyone else as the infinitely sarcastic, fast talking Venkman. Inhabiting the role as if he were born to it Murray's Venkman is the spokesman for the audience on screen. Vocally and cynically commenting not only only on his two colleagues outlandish theories but on the extraordinary events that occur throughout the film. And with a hilariously memorable array of ingenious set pieces that include an early encounter with a Library Ghost, their first job tackling "Slimer" in a a prestigious Hotel, Rick Moranis's Louis Tully being pursued by a rampaging demonic Terror Dog through New York City. It all culminates in a legendary show stopping finale where the "Busters" face against an ancient Sumerian Demi-God called Gozer on top of a New York City apartment building. And if that weren't enough Ackrord and Ramis succeed in pulling out one more eye-popping surprise out of their imaginative bag of tricks! And while the then formidable(for it's time) special effects, which incidentally though dated still hold up reasonably well. They are that rarity in that they don't overshadow the movie's sharp and masterful screenplay. If anything it reinforces and enables the audience to buy in to the insane, nonsensical spectacle on display. Affectionately and deftly aiming slight digs at the far fetched ludicrousness that abounds the film. A scene in a elevator part way through the picture winningly highlights this . When discussing with his colleagues how they haven't had a sufficient successful test of their Ghostbusting equipment, Bill Murrays infinitely cynical Venkman dryly remarks "Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back".
The inclusion of the often obligatory love interest is present as is it routinely is with many other blockbusters and takes the form of Sigourney Weaver who portrays Dana Barrett, the protagonists first client. A character I'm pleased to say doesn't feel as if she's been shoehorned in and plays an integral key role in the overall plot. And Weaver being the capable actress that she is, is effortlessly charming with a down to earth, candid manner that proves her to be an excellent foil to Murray's brash Venkman.
Ernie Hudson, the unsung hero of the movie and although relatively minor in screen-time and presence and given little to do still makes some impact, especially in a beautifully penned and acted moment with Ackroyd regarding the Bible and It's references to "Judgement Day". Throw in a amusing turn from Rick Moranis as Dana's neighbouring irritant Louis Tully as well as Acyroyd's child like enthusiasm as Ray Stanz and Ramis's portrayal of the aloof, verbally monotone, awkward brains of the team, Egon Spengler and you have one of the most smart, classy and clever comedy blockbusters of the past twenty-five years! A film that should be the benchmark for any aspiring big budget film-maker with even bigger ideas!