CLASSIC REVIEW: Ghostbusters (1984)

The following is a classic review of Ghostbusters (1984).

Ghostbusters takes place in New York City and follows a team of scientists who focus on the supernatural, who, after getting their team name out to the public, are contacted by a woman named Dana Barrett (played by Sigourney Weaver). Barrett reports of a monster or spirit in her refrigerator by the name of Zuul. One of the scientists, Dr. Peter Venkman (played by Bill Murray), takes lead on the investigation, but he is more interested in Dana than the case. 

Ghostbusters is hilarious from beginning to end. It’s so freaking quotable. When I rewatched it the other day, I couldn’t stop saying the iconic lines before the movie gave them to me. It is paced really well, it’s one of those instances where every actor was right for their part, and I think the film gets funnier the more you watch it.

Now, let’s talk about the unforgettable characters, starting with the lovable, flirtatious cynic: Dr. Peter Venkman. Bill Murray is perfect here, and the character stands out when surrounded by his teammates. Though a scientist, Venkman is lackadaisical about everything they’re doing, and he’s pretty much just using his profession for his own good. He’s quite the charlatan. Still, he is, by far, the most fun character to watch on the team.

Harold Ramis’ Dr. Egon Spengler is the brains behind the Ghostbusters and the most serious guy on the team, even though he has a fun connection with Annie Potts’ Janine. Egon is pretty much the opposite of Venkman. Ramis is great, as is Dan Aykroyd, who plays the excited Dr. Raymond Stantz. Stantz is incredibly enthusiastic and is pretty much the heart of the team. That doesn’t mean he isn’t smart, though.

And then we have the final Ghostbuster. Supposedly, Dan Aykroyd wanted Eddie Murphy to play Winston Zeddemore, originally. Now that’s really interesting because I can’t see him playing the type of character Zeddemore is in this film. Ernie Hudson ended up playing Winston Zeddemore in the film, and that’s probably for the best as he is a good ‘everyman’ for the audience to connect with.

Sigourney Weaver is solid in Ghostbusters, but the final character I want to highlight is Rick Moranis’ Louis Tully. Rick Moranis has always been funny, and his character has always been great. But, as I rewatched it, I kept wondering why I did not get tired of seeing Louis get himself locked out of his apartment. Moranis, and the film, is too good for that gag to be tedious.

And now the question I must ask all classics. Does it hold up? Well, for the most part, yes. The film has not gotten worse. The jokes still work, and you can still have a great time with the film. However, when I rewatched it recently I thought the technology didn’t hold up as well as the story or the jokes.

The visual effects aren’t laughably bad, but even though it doesn’t look great anymore, the datedness of the visual effects does add some charm to the film. But, all in all, the classic Ghostbusters film is still a great family comedy, even if there are some seriously inappropriate and scary scenes. Those inappropriate scenes definitely went over my head when I was younger.

9 out of 10

– I’m Jeffrey Rex