Although it might be hard to believe, this writer has never actually seen the original Ghostbusters from the 1980s, so didn’t watch the Ghostbusters 2016 reboot with any expectations that would shape my viewing in any way. Instead, sitting down to watch the Blu-ray edition of the 2016 release with an open mind, just waiting to see what I’d find.
So what was that? Well, to this humble critic, Ghostbusters was a laugh-out-loud joy of a film. It contained incredibly funny, and at times, incredibly moving performances from the four main actresses, particularly Kate McKinnon as Jillian Holtzmann and Leslie Jones as Patty Tolan. Chris Hemsworth, in particular, contributes some really funny moments as the dim-witted receptionist Kevin, although it’s the main four Ghostbusters’ humour, particularly the work of McKinnon and Jones, although Melissa McCarthy as Dr. Abby Yates and Kristen Wiig as Dr. Erin Gilbert really shined through, too – I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud at a film’s jokes so much! It really does hit the mark with a lot of the jokes.
The effects on the film itself were also outstanding – the already impressive CGI was made breathtaking in high-definition, and the lush, brighter colours really enhanced the overall experience of the film, especially making the appearances of some of the particular ghosts and ghouls all the more shocking and impressive.
The Blu-ray release also contains the extended edition (of which has a 134-minute running time, whereas the theatrical edition is approximately 116 minutes). – which added lots more scenes, laughs, and story in just over the extra few 18 minutes, and is definitely worth watching. Not that the theatrical edition is any less outstanding and funny and entertaining in its own right – but the pacing and story really comes into its own in the extended edition. The standard DVD of the film also contains some really great special features, such as ‘Meet the Team’, ‘Visual Effects: 30 Years Later’, ‘Slime Time’, commentaries from the writers, director and filmmakers, as well as other great extras such as a photo gallery – which really give you a deeper appreciation of the film, both in general and in terms of how it was all made.
If you go into watching Ghostbusters with an open mind, you quickly realise that’s it’s just a great film – a rush of hilarity, fierce action and outstanding performances, lots of science and slime – and most importantly, ghosts, in one amazingly fun film, no matter what you may have heard. It’s definitely one that should be on your Christmas lists (Yes, even now – you know a film is a good one when it should be put on your Christmas list in November).
GHOSTBUSTERS / CERT: 12 / DIRECTOR: PAUL FEIG / SCREENPLAY: PAUL FEIG, KATIE DIPPOLD / STARRING: KRISTEN WIIG, MELISSA MCCARTHY, KATE MCKINNON, LESLIE JONES, CHRIS HELMSWORTH / RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 21ST
