Who Ya Gonna Call? : Ghostbusters
It seems only right that our last post be followed up with something a bit more lighthearted. In light of ComicCon, and the rise of geek culture, it seems only right that we celebrate a cult classic and geek favorite.
I'm talking, of course, of everyone's favorite ghost hunting squad, Ghostbusters.
The film begins with 3 para psychologists called to the New York Library to investigate paranormal activities. They encounter their first ghost, and establish the ghost investigation squad, after which the movie is named. Bigger and badder ghosts show up to wreak havoc, and the squad must stop them and prevent the end of the world.
The film, at face value is like any other campy 80's movies. It has crap science, a gimmicky plot, and a catchy theme song. The CGI was decent, considering the age of the movie, though the practical effects were seemingly fairly low budget. The plot was predictable, and there was not much for interesting dialogue, save a line here and there.
There were some funny jokes, and the actors were well chosen for the roles.
I couldn't help but notice, though, that there were precious few women in the movie that had time on screen for longer than what can be described as 'momentary' and 'forgettable'. The one glaring exception to this seeming rule is Sigourney Weaver's character. She has truthfully little use in the film, aside from being a sexual interest. Not a romantic interest, a sexual one. Being nothing but a pair of breasts and an empty head seems to be her only use, since she doesn't seem to be intelligent enough to keep from getting herself into a horrible situation from which she must be rescued.
I will not even touch the topic of race, since we barely see any (two by my count) people of color in the whole movie.
It is frustrating, in my mind, that a film that is seemingly so highly venerated and ubiquitous in popular culture has such pathetic representation of more than half of the population. Even moreso, when taking into consideration that this movie takes place in New York City.
Moral quandaries in the film are few, and far between, and the movie does not lend itself to much, if any, deep thinking. It's not a movie that needs thought, and there are worse ways to pass 2 hours.
The film, overall, is shrug-worthy. I am still unsure if I am interested enough in the franchise to watch Ghostbusters 2, or the new reboot.
Time may tell.
I'm talking, of course, of everyone's favorite ghost hunting squad, Ghostbusters.
The film begins with 3 para psychologists called to the New York Library to investigate paranormal activities. They encounter their first ghost, and establish the ghost investigation squad, after which the movie is named. Bigger and badder ghosts show up to wreak havoc, and the squad must stop them and prevent the end of the world.
The film, at face value is like any other campy 80's movies. It has crap science, a gimmicky plot, and a catchy theme song. The CGI was decent, considering the age of the movie, though the practical effects were seemingly fairly low budget. The plot was predictable, and there was not much for interesting dialogue, save a line here and there.
There were some funny jokes, and the actors were well chosen for the roles.
I couldn't help but notice, though, that there were precious few women in the movie that had time on screen for longer than what can be described as 'momentary' and 'forgettable'. The one glaring exception to this seeming rule is Sigourney Weaver's character. She has truthfully little use in the film, aside from being a sexual interest. Not a romantic interest, a sexual one. Being nothing but a pair of breasts and an empty head seems to be her only use, since she doesn't seem to be intelligent enough to keep from getting herself into a horrible situation from which she must be rescued.
I will not even touch the topic of race, since we barely see any (two by my count) people of color in the whole movie.
It is frustrating, in my mind, that a film that is seemingly so highly venerated and ubiquitous in popular culture has such pathetic representation of more than half of the population. Even moreso, when taking into consideration that this movie takes place in New York City.
Moral quandaries in the film are few, and far between, and the movie does not lend itself to much, if any, deep thinking. It's not a movie that needs thought, and there are worse ways to pass 2 hours.
The film, overall, is shrug-worthy. I am still unsure if I am interested enough in the franchise to watch Ghostbusters 2, or the new reboot.
Time may tell.
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