Ghostbusters

Scott Hardie: “It ruled.”

It's a shame that this movie became such a focal point in the ongoing culture wars around feminism and the role of women in media, because it's really just a fun summer action-comedy without such serious matters on its mind. I figured I was in for a good time when I laughed at the first joke a mere ten seconds into the movie, and I wasn't disappointed. All of the actors get some good material, but Kate McKinnon makes the biggest impression as an eccentric mechanical genius, and Leslie Jones scores what is (for me) the biggest laugh in the film, after one ghost gets away from the team. (No, I won't spoil it.) The movie feels more than a little formulaic, not just by copying the original Ghostbusters but by structuring itself like so many other films of its kind, but originality is overrated when entertainment is well-done and pleasing. This isn't an important movie or a great one, but it is a lot of fun and worth seeing.

− July 18, 2016 • more by Scott • log in or create an account to reply

Scott Hardie: If I have any major complaint about the movie, it's that it makes too many callbacks to the original Ghostbusters. I appreciate fanservice, especially when it contradicts naysayers who said that this film's existence is an affront to fans, but the familiar faces and in-jokes became more than a little distracting after a while. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. − July 18, 2016 • more by Scott

Want to join the discussion? Log in or create an account to reply.

Erik Bates: “It was ok.”

I thought this one was good.

Here's the thing: I'm not an overwhelming fan of the original, either, so my lackluster response to this one is not a matter of nostalgia, sexism, or whatever else people want to blame for the unsatisfying reboot.

It was good. It wasn't great. I was entertained, but I wasn't overcome with side-splitting laughter, either.

− December 12, 2016 • more by Erik • log in or create an account to reply

Want to join the discussion? Log in or create an account to reply.

Evie Totty: “It was ok.”

Some say that this movie was unsuccessful. But I'm looking at the box office for 2016 to get my reviews in... and this one was #19 (Domestic Gross - Wide Release). That's not bad out of 165 films.

− December 30, 2016 • more by Evie • log in or create an account to reply

Scott Hardie: I'd definitely see a sequel, especially if it set out to cover new ground instead of retreading more plot elements from the original Ghostbusters or the sequel. But it broke even for the studio instead of turning a profit, and I don't think anyone involved wants to go through that firestorm of controversy again. Too bad. − December 30, 2016 • more by Scott

Want to join the discussion? Log in or create an account to reply.

write your own review of Ghostbusters