It doesn’t matter if there’s manpower or girl power fighting the supernatural spectres in Ghostbusters, which might score a point for gender equity but doesn’t do much for justifying this remake of the classic 1984 comedy.
Other than the curiosity of switching sexes on the titular characters and trumping up some of the visual effects — projectile vomiting in 3D, for example — there isn’t much reason to see this version instead of dusting off an old VHS copy of its predecessor.
The film forges a reunion between Erin (Kristen Wiig), a Columbia physics professor, and Abby (Melissa McCarthy), a former collaborator from many years ago on a book about the paranormal that could damage Erin’s tenure chances.
So when slime-filled ghosts start popping up throughout New York City, Erin initially doesn’t want to get involved, but eventually she agrees to join Abby, a paranormal researcher, and her partner Jillian (Kate McKinnon) in opening a firm dedicated to investigating the haunts. Soon, they’re joined by a subway attendant (Leslie Jones) and a clumsy male secretary (Chris Hemsworth).
As the female quartet dons their proton packs and rides around in a repurposed hearse, they find that the fight against public skepticism is almost as daunting as their efforts to save the city.
Gradually, the ghosts become more menacing and the mission more dangerous as the story builds to an obligatory finale filled with urban destruction.
Fans of the original Ghostbusters will enjoy some of the nostalgic nuggets here — the fire station, the vintage songs, the iconic logo — and its roster of amusing cameos includes the massive Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. Many narrative elements likewise have remained in place.
The stars have a decent enough rapport, even if the periphery characters supply most of the big laughs. The same can’t be said for the thinly sketched villains of both the human and spiritual variety.
The low-brow screenplay co-written by director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) nevertheless maintains a breezy pace and shows a genuine affection for its source material. However, it can’t decide whether it’s more interested in merely paying tribute or carving its own niche among horror comedies.
Sometimes funny and occasionally frightening, the film’s throwback vibe might satisfy those who haven’t seen the first film. Yet as a comparison, it feels like another lazy Hollywood attempt to recapture the past instead of reshaping the future.
