Ghostbusters is more than just a movie to me. It’s one remaining connection to childhood, and to a time where the innocence of the world still felt very alive and well. I still remember replaying the VHS copy my parents had that was taped off of ABC back in the mid-80s over and over and over again, and it never got old. So it goes without saying that I wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to see this film on the big screen, and in remastered glory as an adult.
So how well has the film aged after 30 years? Pretty damn well. That’s not to say some of the special effects shots may not make you chuckle a little, because they will, but that’s not why this film has aged so well. It’s the performances of the actors, and the quality of the script that make this film as relevant as it ever was. So many classic quotes, and perfect delivery from the likes of Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, the late Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, and not to be forgotten, the great (and beautiful) Sigourney Weaver!
If nothing else, this film essentially warned all of us kids in the 80s what a morale killer the “private sector” would be as adults when Akroyd’s Raymond Stantz lamented “I’ve worked in the private sector, they expect results…” It also warned us of how a day to day prick typically handles themselves with the iconic Walter Peck, played to perfection by William Atherton. So there was more than just “Ghostbustin” to Ghostbusters if you really peal back the layers to this 80s classic.
More importantly, as I sat through this screening it blew my mind how much the entertainment factor never let up. Scene, after scene kept hitting high notes of great moments, and just when your brain wants to think the film levels off, it reminds you just how pitch perfect the screenplay was at the time. Let’s face it, how many comedies have you gone to in the last 20 years where the film crashes by the 3rd act? I’m guessing quite a few, and that is another reason Ghostbusters is still the tour de force it was in 1984 as it simply never relents in making you smile. From Louis Tully consistently locking himself out of his own apartment, to Pete Veinkman mocking “the stiff” that Dana Barrett was with, there’s so many subtle, yet BRILLIANT laugh out loud moments within this classic!!!
And not to be underestimated, I have to give a proper shout out to the late, great Elmer Bernstein, the film’s composer. Lost in the shuffle of Ray Parker Jr’s top 40 hit song, and some other 80s pop tunes that were thrown into the mix of this movie, were some absolutely outstanding musical cues from Bernstein. He’s another one of those composers that’s no longer with us that knew how to create music for every moment, and didn’t just give audiences the kind of bland, repetitive crap we hear today (particularly in Marvel Comic Book films), devoid of personality. I couldn’t resist to shoot a short video as the end credits rolled to give you all a taste of what I’m talking about. It was as distinctive as it was beautiful, and added that final punch of personality to a film that was already oozing with plenty of charm. Here’s the cue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr2dsrpJ1mc&feature=em-upload_owner
In the end, my nostalgia factor walking out of the film was as high as its ever been. If you grew up in the era of Ghostbusters, then it’s extremely likely you’ll feel the same attachment, and serotonin rush walking out of the theater. Dare I say it should bring you back to that age of innocence when the rigors of life in general, i.e. adult job stress, and any of the other BS you’re probably observing now, were rendered neutral as kid. It really should, and with that, never trust anyone that not only discards this film, but even worse, has never seen it! Nuff said
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