4 Out of 5 Stars
After many rumored false starts and years in development hell, we have finally have a new Ghostbusters film in theaters. While it may not be what some fanboys probably wanted, I am here to tell you that its going to be one of the funniest films you’ll see this summer and a very worthy start to the new cannon.

The plot of the film has someone placing devices around New York City in areas, which have a turbulent history to amplify the spiritual energy and summon the spirits lurking there. The existence of these ghosts brings together friends Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) who once shared a bond over the supernatural and since writing a tome together on the subject have drifted apart. That book is then the catalyst that begins Abby and Erin’s adventure, as they are brought in to investigate one of these occurrences because of it. The fall out of their first foray into seeing an actual spirit and putting a video of the experience on YouTube is what lands the pair out of work and starting their own business hunting ghosts.

While being a reboot, the film definitely has its own story as the women are out to track down and stop just who is behind these spiritual amplifiers, while the city is out to brand them as frauds. It’s enough of a departure that it manages to feel fresh and not simply a recycled nostalgic retread, like most of these “old is new” films tend to be. My only issue with Ghostbusters is while the first two acts were pretty solid with more laughs packed into it than any film I’ve seen this summer, the film felt a bit flimsy in the third act and ultimately with the execution of its conclusion.

To address some of the fan controversy, when you watch the film the reason for the reboot definitely becomes very apparent. See, if these women were to have simply inherited the technology, have it given to them by male Ghostbusters before them, I think it would have taken some of the credibility from these characters and diminished the empowerment of their story. Like the Ghostbusters before them they are outsiders, but they not only have to overcome the hurdle of trying to convince the world of the existence of ghosts to vindicate themselves, but do so while overcoming a gender bias in science as well.


If you’ve seen Bridesmaids, The Heat or Spy you know what to expect here humor-wise. Like Feig’s previous films there is a subtle cutting humor paired with some broader physical strokes that feels like a catch all for those not paying too close attention. The cast here hits every note with a comedic precision that definitely makes this film one I want to revisit in the near future. Wiig and McCarthy have their work cut out for them with fellow Ghostbusters Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon who manage to steal practically every moment they are on screen. You can tell the cast just had so much fun making this film and the energy and humor is what helped me forgive the film a bit when it tended to wander a bit finding its conclusion.

While some fans will be hesitant, I really feel like Paul Feig tapped into the perfect comedic mix of camaraderie and supernatural horror paired with some of the best comedians working today that made the first one work as well as it did. Ghostbusters is smart, funny and even a bit scary, and definitely a very worthy addition to the property. This is something I don’t say often, but I think the CG revolution really benefitted this particular film with the new look of the ghosts and the various gadgets used throughout the film. While Ghostbusters is guilty is franchise building including a VERY juicy post credits tease (Make sure you stay till the VERY end after ALL the credits) I really want to see where this goes and I think true fans of the original will want to as well.