In this image released by Sony Pictures, from left, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig and Leslie Jones appear in a scene from, “Ghostbusters.” (Sony Pictures via AP)
KAYLEE BREWSTER
Three-and-a-half out of FiveMOVIE REVIEW
If you don’t believe a remake can ever work, “Ghostbusters” is all the proof you need.
There’s something strange in the neighborhood. Ghosts are popping up all over New York City, and three scientists are trying to figure out what’s going on. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) and Jillian “Holtz” Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) use their tech and scientific know-how to investigate the paranormal. When subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) contacts the team to look into some ghostly goings-on, not only do they encounter a ghost, but also a strange device that seems to be connected to the recent increase in sightings.
With the help of Patty and a hot new assistant named Kevin (Chris Hemsworth), Erin, Abby and Holtz decide to become full-time ghostbusters to capture the ghosts and restore peace to the city.
While the film is based off the 1984 original, it doesn’t feel like the same movie you’ve seen before. Sure there are actor cameos, character appearances, and the “Ghostbusters” theme song shows up more than once, but this “Ghostbusters” can stand on its own.
That’s due to the incredible cast of characters. Wiig is the serious character who’s there solely for the science, and while Abby also has a science background, she balances out Wiig with more than a few jokes. They lead the group, holding the team together and figuring out the plan of attack.
On the other side, you have Holtz, the loose cannon engineer who makes all the equipment that may or may not have been tested and might or might not blow up. Patty isn’t a scientist, but she knows the city, she has a car, and she’s the first to believe them.
All these characters working together provide the perfect balance of comedy and character. They bounce off each other with dialogue and personality, which makes them truly work as a team, both as characters and actresses. Watching Wiig, McCarthy, McKinnon and Jones have so much fun makes you want to jump in and join them.
One of the most surprising performances comes from Hemsworth. Shedding his usual superhero role, he proves he can keep up with his co-stars in this comic turn, giving the audience something difference and unexpected.
“Ghostbusters” will keep the audience interested and a little scared, but mostly laughing. When the climax comes and the ghostbusters are in full swing, viewers won’t want to leave their seats.
So if you’re needing a frightening comedy with crazy characters and a hint of ’80s nostalgia, who you gonna call? “Ghostbusters.”
