Ghost Busters

Rating: 8/10 (17 June 2005)

This is a very admirable comedy for all the family from director Ivan Reitman (Twins, Evolution), and written by stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Basically misfit parapsychology professors Dr. Peter Venkman (Golden Globe nominated Bill Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are booted out of New York City's Columbia University, and even lacking funding start a supernatural entity investigation and removal company called "Ghostbusters". It is when their first ghost is successfully captured that the company is truly taken seriously by the people of New York as more ghosts are popping up everywhere, and they also recruit new member Winston Zeddmore (Ernie Hudson). Their biggest ghost though comes from the apartment building of Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and her neighbour Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) when they are both possessed by creatures that could potentially cause some kind of apocalypse. The Ghostbusters are seen as the only hope for the city, after having their ghost vault emptied, and getting released from jail, and the bizarre finale sees them going against a giant marshmallow man. Also starring Toy Story's Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz, William Atherton as Walter Peck, David Margulies as Mayor, Jordan Charney as Dean Yager, Michael Ensign as Hotel Manager, Slavitza Jovan as Gozer and Awakening's Alice Drummond as Librarian. With great moments of slapstick, some witty dialogue, a good cast, and chock-a-block with supernatural special effects, this film was so successful it spawned cartoon TV series and a not as good sequel followed four years later, fantastic fun. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Visual Effects and Best Song for Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" (it won the BAFTA and was nominated the Golden Globe), it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical. It was number 28 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs, it was number 28 on The 100 Greatest Family Films, and it was number 24 on The 50 Greatest Comedy Films. Very good!