SMALLS' FRIGHT FEST: GHOSTBUSTERS

WHO YA GONNA CALL?!

Ghostbusters and I have a rich history. It was one of my favorite films when I was a young child (and I do mean young, like elementary school young), and it's still one of my favorite films today. I literally grew up with this film, and have fond memories of it. So, naturally it felt good to re-visit it for the Halloween season and it only seems fitting that Ghostbusters be the first Fright Fest film review for this year.

In Ghostbusters, amateur paranormal investigators Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) lose their cozy gig at a university and so decide to go into business for themselves, creating a ghost catchers group for hire named Ghostbusters. Together with new partner Winston Zeddmore (Ernie Hudson) they set out to rid NYC of all ghostly activity, while trying to stay ahead of nosy EPA agent Walter Peck (William Atherton). Soon enough, the Ghostbusters realize that NYC and the Earth is on a collision course with Gozer, an ancient Sumerian God that has some big nasty plans for humanity, and the Ghostbusters may be the only ones who can stop him. Along for the chaos is Venkman's crush Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and her next door neighbor Louis Tully (Rick Moranis).

Naturally the standout of the cast is the phenomenal Bill Murray as the always cool under pressure Peter Venkman. It's always fun to watch his reactions to events and interactions with other characters, and he's got most of the best lines in the film ("Back off man, I'm a scientist"). That isn't to say though, that all the other actors don't do a good job. Each actor is perfectly cast, from Sigourney Weaver who is gifted with one of her best roles, to Dan Aykroyd who is perfect as the geeky kid at heart, to Harold Ramis who is goofy fun as the devoted nerd of the group, even to William Atherton who is unforgettable as the human villain here.  All do superb jobs as classic characters that are instantly unforgettable.

There are no real deeper themes here, Ghostbusters is nothing more than pure, supernatural, ass-kicking fun. I do love the mythology created for the Gozer role, and the atmosphere created in the film is pretty damned cool. While the film is extremely funny, it is also surprisingly creepy at times as well (I remember this film freaked me out a good deal when I first saw it, and at times it still does today). Ghostbusters manages to balance both humor and scares, with not one element outweighing the other. This gives the film a unique tone that I can't say I've ever seen anywhere else before. Many other films have tried to capitalize on and replicate Ghostbusters (even the failed attempt at a sequel), and none have succeeded.

The ghosts found within the film are also quite memorable (Slimer anyone?), and most of the effects still hold up fairly well (all except for the demon dog that chases Tully thru the streets, only real terrible effect in the film.) The Proton Packs and Ghostbusters outfits are just as cool as I remember them being. By far though, the one thing that most people think of first when they hear Ghostbusters is most likely that most jolly of sailors, The Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man. While it's clear that it's really just a man in a costume, it's surprisingly easy to suspend your disbelief and just go with it. His grand reveal is still every bit as amazing as it used to be, and it never ceases to amuse me as he goes about causing untold amounts of destruction all while wearing that ridiculous grin on his face. The final rooftop battle featuring Gozer and Sta-Puft is still one of the best climaxes in film history, and for good reason.

Ghostbusters has easily earned it's classic status, and it's one it definitely deserves. It's freaky, funny, and also insanely fun. I must have seen this film well over a dozen times, and it still never gets old. Ghostbusters is a real treat that is fun to watch and re-watch anytime, and not just during the Halloween season.

5 STARS

Also: And who doesn't LOVE that theme song?