Film: Ghostbusters

GENRE: Sci-Fi Comedy

RATING: PG-13 for action and some crude humour
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 56 minutes

STARRING: Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat)

Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Kate McKinnon (SNL, Finding Dory)

DIRECTOR: Paul Fieg (Spy, The Heat, Bridesmaids)

WRITERS: Fieg (Spy, Freaks & Geeks) & Katie Dippold (The Heat)

PLOT: A group of scientists work together to stop a supernatural threat to New York City.    

FULL DISCLOSURE: Went in with low expectations. Loved the original and even the sequel.

STORY STUFF: While the story follows many of the original’s beats, there are some fun differences. I enjoyed how they got together and how the city is trying to discredit them. You can tell they had a lot of fun throwing in many references to the original, including cast members. I think the film could have been a bit shorter and faster paced at times. Also the villain was pretty lame and underwritten, definitely no Vigo or Zuul. 

ACTING STUFF: McKinnon steals the show as Holtzmann. She is quirky and fun and brings loads of energy. Chris Hemsworth is also a riot as an incredibly dumb secretary. I actually thought McCarthy and Wiig could have brought more to the movie. McCarthy’s Chinese food complaints and Wiig’s crush on Hemsworth notwithstanding, I thought both of them could have been a lot funnier. It looked like they were taking things a little too seriously. I also enjoyed the many cameos throughout the film, especially Steve Higgins and Cecily Strong. I was surprised at the size of role for Bill Murray considering his avoidance of everything Ghostbusters for so long.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: The special effects are definitely a step up from the original. I hated the 3D aspects though, like having Leslie Jones’ necklace hanging outside the letterbox. The 3D was far too gimmicky and unnecessary.

VERDICT: Two and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You want to see SNL actors stretch their character skills

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Star Trek Beyond