Ghostbusters
Directors: Paul Feig
Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon
Duration: 106 mins
Class: 12
KRS Releasing Ltd

When director Paul Feig teamed up once again with comedian Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig and brought Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones on board for a remake of 1980s cult comic classic Ghostbusters, they never imagined the vitriol that would be vomited upon the idea. Fans of the original made their vile views clear on the internet, making the first of the film’s trailers to be released... one of the most disliked in YouTube history.

That many of the complainants (mostly men) whined about the female cast and that this was going to ‘ruin their childhood’ says more about them than about the film, but curiosity has been ramped up to the ninth degree as to whether the film will be any good.

Much to the likely chagrin of its naysayers, it is. It is not perfect, yet perfectly enjoyable on many levels, the humour driven by the scintillating chemistry between the four leads. And, if the plot is rather ordinary and the scare factor low, the protagonists provide such genuinely entertaining company that its flaws are easily forgettable.

If director Paul Feig was ‘daring’ in his casting, he certainly played it safe with the plot. The script, which Feig wrote with Katie Dippold, is an origin story detailing how the protagonists get together to investigate a number of hauntings in New York City.

Wiig’s physicist Erin wants to further her career in academia while trying to hide her embarrassing past as a scholar of the paranormal, during which time she published a book with former best friend and partner Abby (McCarthy). Abby is still chasing ghosts, however, and has republished the book much to Erin’s annoyance. When Erin confronts Abby about this, she unwittingly finds herself dragged into an investigation of paranormal activity in a New York mansion with Abby and Holtzmann (McKinnon), an eccentric engineer. When it becomes clear that this haunting is not a one-off, the team, joined by subway worker Patty (Jones), decides to investigate further.

Feig has always placed strong emphasis on character (to wit Bridesmaids and Spy)... and he does so fourfold here. His protagonists are fully-rounded characters and not mere joke-cracking cyphers and he has assembled a remarkably talented team to bring them to life.

Not perfect, yet perfectly enjoyable on many levels, the humour driven by the scintillating chemistry between the four leads

Wiig and McCarthy may play on traits typical of characters they’ve played before, but Wiig’s neurosis drives the character’s initial reluctance to join in the ghost hunting hijinks. This eventually gives her an outlet for venting said neurosis.

McCarthy’s Abby is actually a more restrained than the actor’s usual brassy characters. She may be a tad overbearing, but is infectiously passionate about her work. McCarthy gets to show off her remarkable physical comedy chops. Jones wears Patty’s self-assured sass and swagger like a second skin, but the revelation is McKinnon.

Like her co-stars, McKinnon is a Saturday Night Live veteran, but a relative newcomer to movies. She subtly steals every scene she is in as the oddball genius, the mad scientist of the group... her physical and facial gestures a delicious delight of kooky energy as she invents gadgets and weapons to add to the ladies’ uniforms of jumpsuits and proton packs.

The giggles flow thick and fast thanks to the ensemble’s consummate effortlessness in sharp and accurate live delivery. And, even when the script throws in a couple of flatulence jokes – things going burp in the night – you can’t help but laugh.

Add to the successful mix Chris Hemsworth, hilarious as the slyly bimbo-esque but adorable receptionist Kevin. As far removed as the strong, serious and stoic Thor as can be, Hemsworth fits in with the gang seamlessly, sending up his beefcake image with aplomb.

Also sneaking into the ensemble without distraction are many cast members of the original Ghostbusters – including a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tribute to the late Harold Ramis. Familiar ghouls also make an appearance as does, of course, an abundance of ectoplasmic green slime, with the occasional riff on Ray Parker Jnr’s hit theme song from the original underscoring certain scenes.

In the minus column is an over-reliance of CG in the final act, when the foursome – and the story – are a little overwhelmed by the phantasmagorical hyper activity, while it certainly is not as scary as it could have been. While the eerie female form we first see and the phantasm that Patty encounters in the bowels of the subway are suitably spooky, you are never in danger of jumping out of your seat.

Kudos, however, to the team for ploughing on regardless of the negativity, acknowledging it in a scene where the ladies are reading online comments about their ghost-hunting activities, including one stating that “ain’t no bitches gonna bust no ghosts”.

Well, bust ghosts they certain-ly do, also busting any preconceived notions of abject failure in the process.