Bustin' (still) makes me feel good

Rating: 8/10 (25 July 1999)

Ghostbusters was fabulous when I saw it aged 12 and 15 years on it's even better. As a kid caught up in the (well deserved) hype, I had little interest in the dialogue and subtle spontaneous comic asides. I was wrapped in the effects, which , stop motion aside, actually still stand up pretty well today.
However, coming back to the movie on DVD after all these years I can now see the film 'whole' as it were, and it's only now do I realise just how good it is. The special FX aren't really whats important here. The story is highly original, has a lovely pace, and strikes a clever balance between comedy and terror. There are some spooky moments in this film, but they never push it too far, and they are always followed by a laugh. The film is nicely scripted but the delivery also has a nice spontaneous feel to it, perhaps not surprising considering we've got three good comedy actors and writers centre stage.
In fact all players in the film are fantastic, the three leads look like they've spent their whole life together, Sigourney becomes a bit of a hell-raiser, and Rick Moranis barely pauses for breath during his hilarious verbal diarrhoea as uber-nerd Louis. Also, let us not forget another truly odious character from William Atherton, as the over-zealous officer from the EPA. In a way, it's a shame Winston (Ernie Hudson) couldn't have been given a bit more to do or a few extra gags - but then maybe that would have been too much, and his character works well representing all us 'normal' people.
Ghostbusters is so much fun, and so brilliantly crafted it actually makes me despair for the kids of the 90's as they've had so little to compare to this. Only Men In Black and the Pixar releases have come close. Come on Hollywood - start making some original fun films again!

Oh, and special mention must go to the wonderfully spooky music by Elmer Bernstein, which is often overlooked (overheard?) due to the famous Ray Parker Jr. theme tune.
In summary:
great for kids + great for grown ups = superb for grown up kids.