The Ghosts Have a New Team to Fear

From left: Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig,
and Kate McKinnon in "Ghostbusters"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

In 1984, director Ivan Reitman gave audiences one of the most iconic movies of the decade with “Ghostbusters.”  Watching Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson hunt menacing specters made for an enjoyable supernatural comedy that still endures today.  “Ghostbusters 2” followed in 1989, and while it had its moments, it couldn’t quite capture the same sense of fun as the original.

Over the last few months, there has been a lot of conversation as to whether or not a “Ghostbusters” reboot would be accepted by modern audiences, given how beloved the original is.  I’m pleased to say, although director Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters” doesn’t quite reach the comedic heights of Reitman’s original, it’s still a rather fun return to the franchise.

Dr. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) is a respected physics professor at Columbia University.  When she, her long-time friend Dr. Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), and the latter’s research partner, Dr. Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), make a paranormal discovery in a local museum, word gets out, but many don’t believe them.  The three are soon fired from their jobs, but take the opportunity to start up their own ghost-hunting business.  Later, an MTA worker, Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), discovers a ghost in a subway tunnel, and applies for a job with the Ghostbusters, believing her knowledge of the city can help them.  When the four discover an individual’s plan to increase paranormal activity throughout the city and the rest of the world, the new Ghostbusters will do what they can to prevent the apocalyptic event from occurring.

Just like with the cast of the original two films, the new crew displays just as much chemistry.  Wiig, McCarthy, Jones, and McKinnon have all shown to have great comedic abilities on either “Saturday Night Live,” in feature films, or both.  With all of them providing a different personality for their characters, each interaction between them offers something new at which to laugh, making this comical quartet one I would really like to see in a sequel.

Despite all four women having scenes where they can show off their skills at humor, I have to say the most memorable of the new Ghostbusters is McKinnon.  At the moment, she’s easily one of the best cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” and she shows she has potential to star in big-screen comedies.  Her character is a pure standout with her whacky hairstyle, crazy-scientist look in her eyes, and line deliveries that always makes you crack a smile.

Out of all of the supporting roles, Chris Hemsworth is fun to watch as the Ghostbusters’ comically inept receptionist, but his character’s level of stupidity becomes a bit overkill, making it seem like Hemsworth is trying a little too hard to be funny.

Given the original film was released over 30 years ago, the reboot has the advantage of improved special effects, which are put to good use in the film’s climactic showdown between the Ghostbusters and an army of phantom menaces.  Although the visuals aren’t anything groundbreaking, seeing improved CGI for a “Ghostbusters” film offers more possibilities for paranormal activity that can be explored in any future installments.

While the film hits several of the same story beats as the original film and has a little too much fan service, the screenplay by Feig and Katie Dippold still has a few new things to add to the “Ghostbusters” franchise.  They provide enough opportunities for each of the four stars to showcase their talents and give them all memorable moments in between and within the film’s big set pieces, even if some of the jokes they are given hit better than others.

Having directed such comedic hits as “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” and “Spy,” Feig continues to show he is a reliable filmmaker when it comes to working with women.  The movie depends on how well the actresses click, and Feig knows how to utilize a cast to bring the laughs.  If there’s a sequel to this reboot, and Feig provides the four leads with a script that’s a little more consistent in the quality of its jokes, then I would love to see this group bring out their proton packs again and continue to strike some fear in those ghosts.  

Final grade: B 

Taken on an Unexpected Adventure, A Young Girl Meets a Gentle Giant

Ruby Barnhill and Mark Rylance in "The BFG"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

For nearly 50 years, British author Roald Dahl captivated the imaginations of young readers with his quirky and inventive stories.  He treated us to such books as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda,” Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and “James and the Giant Peach,” to name a few.  His readers could always count on getting swept away in his fantastical narratives and leave those worlds with a smile on their faces.

Now, one of his other books, “The BFG,” has been handed over to another master storyteller, director Steven Spielberg.  Although it may not rank among the director’s best films, it’s still a rather charming adaptation of Dahl’s classic.

In London, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is an adventurous young girl living in an orphanage.  One night, she hears a noise outside her window, and looks out to investigate.  When Sophie discovers a giant (Mark Rylance), it takes her from her room and brings her to Giant Country.  She soon discovers the giant is a kind soul, and then dubs him as the “Big Friendly Giant.”  When the two discover that a group of man-eating giants threatens the human world, Sophie and the BFG will do whatever they can to stop them.

Ruby Barnhill, in her debut performance, brings the courageous and no-nonsense spirit of her literary counterpart.  The confidence she displays in playing the lead in a film mirrors the bravery of her character who’s thrust into an unknown world, and she shows she has the talent to work with a director as established as Spielberg.

Mark Rylance, in a wonderful motion-capture performance, exhibits the warm and fun-loving nature of the BFG.  The best part of the movie is having one of the best CGI creations of the year voiced by an actor as gifted as Rylance, and hearing his vocals for the role is a wonderful case of watching a beloved character come to life.

Janusz Kamiński, who has provided the cinematography for many of Spielberg’s film, offers beautiful visuals and grand, expansive views of Giant Country that place us in the world that Dahl envisioned on the page.  His eye for remarkable imagery can be seen especially in the sequence when Sophie and the BFG explore the gorgeous and colorful Dream Country, which brings a stunning blend of Kamiński’s camerawork and Weta Digital’s magical visual effects, a blend that presents the vibrancy of the BFG’s world on the screen.

The screenplay by Melissa Mathison (who passed away last November) is a suitable fit for such material, having written Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” a film that also focuses on a child protagonist dealing with loneliness and bonding with a non-human being.  While the film sticks to the book for the most part, it’s just short of two hours, thereby causing some of the scenes to go on for a little longer than they should.  And not to nitpick, but the rather embarrassing jokes involving “whizzpopping” could have been left out of the film.  Those of you who have read the book will know what I’m talking about.  Thankfully, the film keeps some of the book’s darker aspects in tact to counteract the juvenility of these jokes.

Despite the film not reaching the heights of Spielberg’s most famous films, it’s evident his ability to craft heartwarming stories around technical efficiency hasn’t dulled over his decades-long career in filmmaking.  Despite the source material being superior, the film is still a respectable adaptation and an adequate representation of Dahl’s contributions to children’s literature.

Final grade: B