Ghostbusters: WE GOT ONE

I know what you are wondering, what does the resident Ghostbuster think? We got one what? Is it a good one? Is it a bad one? WHAT IS IT?

I’m not even sure where to begin.

Let me start by saying a HUGE thanks to Alamo Drafthouse in Kansas City! They always put on a great show, but they really went above and beyond here. I drive an hour to go to this theatre, passing others along the way, because Ryan and his crew really understand fan service, and as a guy who dresses like a Ghostbuster, they made me feel like king of the castle for the night, even made a custom batch of Ecto Cooler for everyone. Also, this is not sponsored (although it could be if you want to talk, LOL?).

Let’s move on. Big elephant in the room…remember that trailer? It was awful. It was then, and it is now. The movie was very hush hush, which in turn began so much negative speculation, then, to seemingly hush the masses, a really bad trailer dropped, and it was like throwing gasoline on a fire. The rest is pretty much history.

Thursday evening, at the Alamo Premiere, as I got to go out and represent for Ghost Corps, I was a bit apprehensive. So much in the air, people drawing clear lines in fandom, just a lot of doubt. As the movie started I found myself fairly quickly drawn in, the story had rather good pacing, and, they kind of gave you back story as current story developed, which, using this method, makes things make a lot of sense as the movie progresses.

That’s one thing I appreciated in this movie, things made sense. Why they wore the uniforms they do, makes sense. The cameos, brilliantly executed, made sense. How they developed their skills from near nothing to something, made sense. The bad guy, not in love with how he developed, but, it made sense.

When they trapped their first ghost, it came in a scene I was kind of dreading, but it really worked. When they threw the trap and caught it, I felt that old feeling, when you know you are seeing something really cool. When you are totally self aware. Who would have thought?

You’re treated to an Easter egg here and there, the CGI works a bit better in the final cut, but overall I think if I have one thing to really say negative, maybe it was a bit much. While I do greatly enjoy the visual in my head of just taking on an onslaught of ghosts, it felt a bit much, sometimes it needs to be dialed back.

I didn’t feel like it was man bashing, I didn’t feel like it was trying to remind you that they were four women. The movie seemed very aware it was a Ghostbuster movie, so, it didn’t really try to be anything else, it didn’t try to outdo it…it just did its own thing, and it worked.

The cast all played their positions very well, Leslie Jones I think was done a huge disservice in the trailers, and she was really enjoyable. Kate McKinnon was just, well, you need to experience her. I’m absolutely in love with Holtzmann. Melissa McCarthy was very dialed back from where I am used to seeing her in a lot of comedy roles, and that is a good thing in this realm. Kristen Wiig was perfect.

Were there some easy jokes in the film? Sure, it’s not as smart as the first, but, how could it be? It is a fun summer movie, and it isn’t trying to really be anything else, and that is where it truly succeeds. The pacing is exceptionally quick, and before you know it, you’re anxiously awaiting the after credits.

So, yeah, you should put any doubt aside and go check it out. Paul Feig took mounds of crap from the world at large, but, despite it all…he and his crew delivered. So, I anxiously await the next iteration, and I’m also looking forward to the next generation of Ghostbusters, which has been assured thanks to this film. In the hunt for paranormal summer fun, WE GOT ONE!