Surprise Hit of '84

Rating: 6/10 (28 June 2008)

Reitman's best, most successful film he has ever made was this catchy comedy which turned out to be 1984's surprise hit thanks to the impeccable timing of its release.
The leading trio play off each other sublimely, with Murray as the prankster and both Aykroyd and Ramis in top form playing two rather socially inept scientists whose joint obsession with New York's ghostly inhabitants leads the "Ghostbusters" to fame and fortune. Sigourney Weaver plays the humorous love interest who turns nasty when spectral activity becomes centred around her apartment. Also hilarious is Rick Moranis as the dorky accountant who becomes an unlikely "Keymaster" in the closing scenes of the film. Annie Potts plays the over worked secretary, Ernie Hudson the hired fourth Ghostbuster and William Atherton is the thorn in the side from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis have written the screenplay which is quite sharp in both the freshness of the idea and the execution of the plot. The jaunty momentum and bright comedy is prevalent throughout. Visually we are treated to some attention grabbing special f/x which dominate the "Ghostbusters" encounters with the spooks. Finally there is the trendy soundtrack which features the smash hit single "Ghostbusters" from Ray Parker Junior.
Saturday, September 27, 1997 - Video