Today’s quick review: Ghostbusters. When Pete Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), a trio of paranormal scientists, are fired from their university, they go into business as the Ghostbusters, hunting down the mischievous spirits of New York. But their new business meets its greatest challenge when a client (Sigourney Weaver) comes to them with a ghost that threatens the entire city.
Ghostbusters is a comedy that turns the horror genre on its head, putting three bumbling academics in the roles of supernatural exterminators. With a stellar cast, great comedic writing, and a catchy theme song, Ghostbusters makes for a light and enjoyable watch that has earned its status as a classic. Its only real weaknesses are its simplistic plot, its limited value as science fiction, and the chance that its charming brand of humor doesn’t click.
One of Ghostbusters’ greatest features is its cast. Bill Murray stars as Pete Venkman, a smooth talker who doesn’t take his colleagues’ work too seriously. Murray walks a fine line between cynical wisecracking and loyal support, an odd, likable character who is the focal point of the team. Dan Aykroyd plays Raymond Stantz, a supernatural enthusiast, while Harold Ramis rounds out the trio as Egon Spengler, a scientist of odd habits and the group’s straight man.
The supporting cast is just as strong. Sigourney Weaver plays Dana Barrett, a client and Bill Murray’s reluctant love interest. Rick Moranis delivers a memorable performance as Louis Tully, her awkward neighbor. Ernie Hudson joins the cast later on as Winston Zeddmore, the fourth Ghostbuster, a practical man with no supernatural experience. The characters play off each other marvelously, just nuanced enough to feel human without delving into any real drama.
Ghostbusters also deserves credit for its sharp writing. Unlike many comedies, Ghostbusters does not wait for its punchlines to sneak laughs in. Instead, a barrage of small gags hit their mark, from Pete’s many quips to Ray and Egon’s frenzied, pseudoscientific explanations. The high hit rate of the subtler jokes and the presence of a few memorable quotes make the writing consistently amusing and occasionally hilarious.
Watch Ghostbusters when you are in the mood for comedy, plain and simple. Chances are your personal favorites will beat it for raw, gut-busting humor, but Ghostbusters’ broad appeal and all-around solid execution make it well worth a look. Skip it if you dislike Bill Murray or are looking for a movie with a plot.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for good humor and a great cast.