Good spirits

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2014)

For years my wife has quoted phrases from this movie at me, such as "Don't give me those bug-eyes Janine!", to "Are you a god?, No, then die!" and "It just popped in there", so, with only this and my liking of the sprightly theme song by Ray Parker Jr to go on, I finally tuned in to watch it. The thing is too, that I usually bypass most popular culture from the 80's (the decade that taste forgot), for instance I've never watched "Ghost", "Dirty Dancing", "Top Gun" or "E.T." and won't be rushing to in the near future, there are far too many earlier movies I've still to see. But hey, I really enjoyed this unusual mix of frat comedy and supernatural / science fiction thrills.
I liked the three amigo scientists right away, the womanising Bill Murray, earnest Dan Ayckroyd and professorial Ivan Reitman. Sigourney Weaver adds the sexiness (eventually) and Rick Moranis outdoes the three busters in geekiness as Weaver's lovelorn neighbour. The natural landscape of New York is effectively blended in, the special effects are fine for their day and the script delivers excitement and humour in equal measure.
Not every idea from the Saturday Night Live team hit the jackpot but this one certainly deserved to, helped by an offbeat idea with broad appeal, a good script and a nice story arc which not only delivers a big finish but also sees Murray get the girl.
Call again!