‘Ghostbusters’ belongs to stellar female cast
Ghostbusters — surprise — turns out to be a decent comedy. It’s funny in places but sadly — and not much of a surprise — not so funny in others.
Bridesmaids’ director Paul Feig is at the helm directing two of his favorite stars, and he teams with The Heat writer Katie Dippold on the script. It’s based on the original premise penned by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis in 1984.
Kristen Wiig’s Erin Gilbert is a physicist trying to get tenure at a university. Her problem? Years earlier, she wrote a book that contends the paranormal is true. That’s an academic no-no. She wrote the book with high school best pal Abby Yates. She’s played by Melissa McCarthy. To get Yates to take the book off the market, Gilbert offers to introduce her to a man who needs help with a ghost.
So Gilbert, Yates and her teammate Jillian — played wonderfully by Kate McKinnon — head for the site of a real-life haunting. Their challenge? Prove it’s true. Soon after, Leslie Jones’ Patty Nolan joins the team, and its off to the races.
The last main member of the team is Thor star Chris Hemsworth. He’s the team’s receptionist and proves he does more than just swing a hammer and look hunky. Also, the original cast — except for Ramis, who died in 2014 — have cameos. Several other celebs are there too.
Ghostbusters is basically a rehash of the original film. I’m in the minority here; I didn’t like the original. It was like a long Saturday Night Live skit. This one has a much different feel. At least for the most part. But like the 1984 flick, it crawls clumsily along and comes close to a complete stop in the third act.
Not all is negative.
But the movie belongs to its stellar female cast. Instead of a droll Bill Murray hogging the limelight, four terrific ladies — Bridesmaids pals McCarthy and Wiig and Saturday Night Live’s McKinnon and Jones — have a blast with each other and with some funny bits.
Then again, there’s that word. Some. However, the positives — barely — overwhelm the negatives, so when someone asks me who I’m gonna call, I will say I’m calling Ghostbusters.
‘Ghostbusters’
Director: Paul Feig
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, Dan Akyroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson, Ozzie Osbourne, Ed Begley Jr., Charles Dance, Annie Potts, Al Roker
Mr. Movie rating: 3 1/2 stars
Rated PG-13 for mature themes. It’s playing at the Carmike 12, the Fairchild Cinemas 12 and Queensgate 12, and at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 1:01 PM with the headline "‘Ghostbusters’ belongs to stellar female cast."