Ghostbusters





Directed By: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, and William Atherton

"Gozer the Traveler.  He will come in one of the pre-chosen forms.  During the rectification of the Vuldrini, the traveler came as a large and moving Torg!  Then, during the third reconciliation of the last of the McKetrick supplicants, they chose a new form for him: that of a giant Slor!  Many Shuvs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!"
-Louis Tully (Rick Moranis)

2014 marks the 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters.  This anniversary is indeed a milestone that's being celebrated by many given the film's staying power over the years.  In fact, the classic supernatural comedy is now back in theaters to commemorate the occasion and introduce the film to a new generation of moviegoers.  All is not so rosy, however.  We've lost a lot of great talents in Hollywood this year.  Among them, we lost the beloved Harold Ramis this past spring.  With one third of the original trio now gone, it's now more important to cherish the talents we do have and the great memories they have given us on the big screen.  For Ramis and his fellow co-stars on this 30th anniversary, it's important to honor and remember Ghostbusters.

Columbia University parapsychologists Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Ramis) are called to the New York Public Library after an elderly woman is terrified by what she deems to be a supernatural presence.  Upon arriving at the scene to investigate the disturbance, they soon discover that they're dealing with the ghost of a dead librarian.  When she frightens them, they flee.  However, this is the least of their problems.  Soon thereafter, they are fired from Columbia and must go out on their own.  The trio uses this setback to launch a paranormal extermination service.  After purchasing a dilapidated firehouse and developing some nifty tools to capture apparitions, the Ghostbusters are born.

One of their first customers is a beautiful woman named Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), whose New York City apartment is supposedly haunted by the demonic spirit Zuul.  Instantly smitten by her, Peter makes a pass at Dana and also fails to find any paranormal presence in her apartment, not a winning combination.  Business is soon thriving though because ghosts get busy in the city.  It's so busy that the Ghostbusters hire a fourth member named Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson).  Though business begins booming, problems soon will be looming.  Zuul, the ghost haunting Dana will soon be terrorizing the entire city.  Meanwhile, EPA attorney Walter Peck (William Atherton) wants to shut them down for violating the environmental code with the unregulated equipment they use to allegedly catch and contain ghosts.

If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call?  Ghostbusters!  This classic blockbuster stands as one of the funniest, zaniest films to have ever entered a multiplex.  Some thirty years later, it remains a beloved piece of cinematic history.  With a trio of stars at the height of their comedic powers, an off the wall premise coupled with the special effects to bring it to life, and an inescapable groove from Ray Parker, Jr., Ghostbusters is popcorn fare at its absolute best.  It's fun.  It's silly.  It's irreverent.  Ghostbusters is one truly unique blend of humor and the supernatural.  You'll undoubtedly get ghost fever anytime you watch this one.

The film has so much personality, and it all hinges on the colorful performances from the cast, particularly the main trio.  For his part as Peter Venkman, Bill Murray is definitely the clear-cut comedian of the group.  Not a stiff scientist, he's one amusing ladies man who delivers plenty of outrageous one-liners.  As Raymond Stantz, Dan Aykroyd is the geek of the group.  He gets excited over anything and everything, including using the pole at the firehouse.  As Egon Spengler, Harold Ramis is the straight man of the group.  I'm not sure how he maintains his serious composure in a film like this, but Ramis does it to great effect.

The supporting cast members bring a lot to the table as well.  For her part as Dana Barrett, Sigourney Weaver is an absolute delight.  Bringing her trademark wit and a subtle ruggedness to her portrayal of Dana, Weaver is perhaps the only cast member who can trade barbs with Murray on camera believably.  For his part as Winston Zeddemore, Ernie Hudson is a constant source of amusement.  This brother is just happy to have a job he loves, and we love him for it.  Finally, there's William Atherton as Walter Peck.  The character actor has a talent for playing loathsome antagonists, and it's on full display here in Ghostbusters.

Parapsychology has never been as cool as it is in Ghostbusters.  The supernatural comedy has surely stood the test of time and remains one of the great blockbusters of all time.  Sit back and have all your supernatural needs met by this unforgettable blockbuster.  Ghostbusters gets a sober rating.