Overview of Ghostbusters (2016)
“Ghostbusters” is a 2016 supernatural comedy film directed by Paul Feig. It serves as a reboot of the original Ghostbusters film series from the 1980s. The movie stars an all-female lead cast comprising Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones as the titular Ghostbusters.
The story follows Erin Gilbert (played by Kristen Wiig), a physicist who, alongside her friend Abby Yates (played by Melissa McCarthy), reunites with her former colleague Jillian Holtzmann (played by Kate McKinnon) to investigate paranormal activity in New York City. Together with Patty Tolan (played by Leslie Jones), a subway worker with extensive knowledge of the city, they form the Ghostbusters team. As they delve deeper into their investigations, they uncover a plot to unleash an army of ghosts upon the city.
The film pays homage to the original Ghostbusters while offering a fresh take on the concept, featuring new characters and updated visual effects. Despite generating controversy prior to its release due to its gender-swapped cast, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised its humor and the performances of the cast, others criticized its deviation from the original and the quality of its script.
Overall, “Ghostbusters” (2016) aimed to introduce the beloved franchise to a new generation while offering a modern spin on the classic tale of paranormal investigators battling supernatural threats.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Ghostbusters (2016) |
| Director | Paul Feig |
| Release Date | July 15, 2016 |
| Genre | Supernatural comedy |
| Cast | Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth |
| Plot | Four women with expertise in the paranormal form a ghost-catching business to save New York City from a supernatural threat. |
| Setting | New York City |
| Reception | Mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised the humor and performances, others criticized deviations from the original and script quality. |
| Box Office Gross/Production Budget | Approximately $229 million worldwide/ Approximately $144 million |
| Legacy | Controversial due to the gender-swapped cast; sparked discussions on gender representation in Hollywood; led to a sequel with a different approach (Ghostbusters: Afterlife). |
Plot of the Movie
The plot of “Ghostbusters” (2016) revolves around four women who come together to form a team of ghost hunters in New York City. Here’s a more detailed overview:
The story begins with Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), a physicist at Columbia University, trying to distance herself from her past involvement in the paranormal. However, her efforts are thwarted when her book on the existence of ghosts resurfaces, damaging her professional reputation. Erin’s former colleague, Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), who still believes in the paranormal, invites her to investigate a haunted mansion. Joined by eccentric engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), they encounter a ghost and capture it on camera.
As the video goes viral, the trio forms a paranormal investigation and elimination service called the “Ghostbusters.” They are later joined by Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), a subway worker who has witnessed supernatural occurrences in the tunnels. Together, they start investigating a surge in paranormal activity across the city.
Their investigations lead them to Rowan North (Neil Casey), a disgruntled former hotel employee who is using occult knowledge to summon ghosts and wreak havoc on New York City. Rowan’s ultimate plan is to create a portal that will allow him to summon an army of ghosts to bring about the end of the world.
The Ghostbusters confront Rowan at his headquarters atop a skyscraper, where they battle his ghostly minions and eventually defeat him by crossing the streams of their proton packs, causing a massive explosion that closes the portal and saves the city.
In the aftermath, the Ghostbusters are hailed as heroes, and their business gains widespread recognition. The film ends with the team continuing their paranormal investigations, ready to tackle any future supernatural threats that may arise.
Reasons to Watch It
“Ghostbusters” (2016) is worth watching for its modern twist on the classic concept, strong performances, impressive visual effects, humor, action-packed sequences, nostalgic references, positive themes, and significant cultural impact.
Unique Spin on a Classic – The film offers a modern twist on the classic “Ghostbusters” concept, featuring an all-female lead cast, which brings a fresh perspective to the story. Strong Performances – The cast, including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, delivers entertaining performances, showcasing their comedic talents and chemistry on screen.
Visual Effects – “Ghostbusters” (2016) features impressive visual effects, bringing the supernatural elements to life in a visually engaging way. Humor – The film offers plenty of humor and lighthearted moments, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of comedy.
Action – Alongside the comedy, “Ghostbusters” (2016) delivers exciting action sequences, particularly during the ghost-busting missions, providing entertainment for viewers who enjoy action-packed films. Nostalgia – While it deviates from the original film, “Ghostbusters” (2016) pays homage to the classic franchise, incorporating familiar elements and references that may appeal to fans of the original series.
Positive Messages – The film promotes themes of teamwork, friendship, and bravery, as the Ghostbusters work together to save New York City from supernatural threats. Cultural Impact – Regardless of opinions on the film itself, “Ghostbusters” (2016) sparked important discussions about gender representation in Hollywood and the portrayal of women in traditionally male-dominated genres.
Overall, “Ghostbusters” (2016) offers an entertaining mix of comedy, action, and visual effects, making it worth a watch for those interested in a modern take on the beloved franchise.
Reasons to Avoid It
Potential viewers may choose to avoid “Ghostbusters” (2016) due to its departure from the original, mixed reviews, controversy surrounding its gender-swapped cast, subjective humor style, emphasis on visual effects over substance, potential disappointment from high expectations, heavy-handed cultural commentary, or simply a preference for original material.
Departure from Original – If you’re a purist or a fan of the original “Ghostbusters” franchise, the significant changes in this reboot might be off-putting. Mixed Reviews – The film received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences, indicating that it might not be universally appealing.
Controversy – The gender-swapped cast sparked controversy and debate prior to the film’s release, which might deter some viewers. Humor Style – The humor in the film might not resonate with everyone, as comedy is subjective and what one person finds funny, another might not.
Visual Effects Over Substance – While the visual effects are impressive, some viewers might feel that they overshadow the story and character development. Potential Disappointment – Expectations based on the original franchise or the hype surrounding the film’s release could lead to disappointment if the movie doesn’t meet them.
Cultural Commentary – Some viewers might find the film’s attempt at social commentary on gender roles and representation in Hollywood distracting or heavy-handed. Preference for Original Material – Those who prefer original stories over reboots or remakes might choose to avoid this film in favor of other content.
Overall, these reasons may lead certain viewers to opt out of watching “Ghostbusters” (2016), either due to personal preferences, concerns about the film’s reception, or disinterest in its themes and style.
Critical Response
The critical response to “Ghostbusters” (2016) was characterized by a wide range of opinions, resulting in a mixed reception. On one hand, some critics appreciated the film’s efforts to modernize the classic franchise with its all-female lead cast and its attempts at injecting humor into the supernatural narrative. The performances of the lead actresses, including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, were particularly lauded for their comedic timing and chemistry on screen. Additionally, the film’s visual effects received praise for bringing the supernatural elements to life in a visually captivating manner.
However, on the other hand, there were critics who found fault with the film’s departure from the original “Ghostbusters” series, arguing that it failed to capture the charm and magic of the original films. Some felt that the script lacked depth and originality, relying too heavily on nostalgia and recycled plot elements. The controversy surrounding the gender-swapped cast also led to polarized opinions, with some viewers embracing the change as a progressive step forward for gender representation in Hollywood, while others viewed it as unnecessary and detracting from the essence of the franchise.
Overall, the critical response to “Ghostbusters” (2016) reflected a diverse range of viewpoints, with some critics praising its modernization efforts and comedic performances, while others criticized its deviation from the original and perceived shortcomings in its script and execution.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Positive Aspects | – Appreciation for the film’s modernization of the franchise with an all-female lead cast. – Praise for the comedic performances of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. – Visual effects were lauded for bringing the supernatural elements to life. |
| Negative Aspects | – Criticism for the film’s departure from the original series, with some feeling it failed to capture the charm of the originals. – Some critics found the script lacking in depth and originality, relying too heavily on nostalgia. – Polarized opinions regarding the gender-swapped cast and its impact on the essence of the franchise. |
Key Themes
The key themes in “Ghostbusters” (2016) include teamwork and friendship, bravery and courage, gender representation, acceptance and belief, nostalgia and homage, identity and self-discovery, and overcoming adversity.
Teamwork and Friendship – The film emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mutual support as the Ghostbusters come together to tackle paranormal threats. Through their teamwork, they overcome challenges and save the city from supernatural disasters. Bravery and Courage – The characters demonstrate courage and bravery in the face of danger, confronting ghosts and supernatural entities to protect New York City and its inhabitants.
Gender Representation – With its all-female lead cast, the film addresses themes of gender representation in Hollywood, challenging traditional gender roles in the action-comedy genre and promoting diversity and inclusivity. Acceptance and Belief – The Ghostbusters encounter skepticism and disbelief from some characters within their own community, but they remain steadfast in their belief in the paranormal and their mission to save the city, ultimately earning recognition and acceptance for their efforts.
Nostalgia and Homage – While offering a modernized take on the classic franchise, the film also pays homage to the original “Ghostbusters” series through references, Easter eggs, and familiar elements, appealing to fans of the original while introducing the concept to a new generation. Identity and Self-Discovery – The characters undergo personal growth and self-discovery throughout the film, embracing their unique talents and abilities as they come to terms with their roles as Ghostbusters and as individuals.
Overcoming Adversity – Despite facing skepticism, criticism, and supernatural threats, the Ghostbusters persevere and ultimately triumph over adversity, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
These themes collectively contribute to the film’s narrative depth and resonance, enriching the story and providing audiences with thought-provoking messages and insights.
Memorable Moments
Memorable moments from ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) include the team’s first ghostly encounter, proton pack testing, the Times Square showdown, Chris Hemsworth’s dance, a subway ghost encounter, homage to the original, the portal closing sequence, and the giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man balloon.
Ghostly Encounter at the Mansion – The team’s first encounter with a ghost at the haunted mansion, captured on camera and sparking their journey as Ghostbusters. Proton Pack Testing – The Ghostbusters’ test runs with their proton packs, resulting in comedic mishaps and showcasing their unconventional approach to ghost-catching.
Times Square Showdown – The climactic battle in Times Square, where the Ghostbusters face off against Rowan’s army of ghosts in a visually stunning and action-packed sequence. Chris Hemsworth’s Dance – Kevin (played by Chris Hemsworth), the Ghostbusters’ dim-witted receptionist, steals the scene with his hilariously inept dance moves during a possessed moment.
Subway Ghost Encounter – Patty’s encounter with a ghost on the subway, highlighting her bravery and determination to join the team despite the supernatural dangers. Homage to the Original – Various references and Easter eggs paying homage to the original “Ghostbusters” films, including cameos from the original cast members and iconic props.
Portal Closing Sequence – The intense finale where the Ghostbusters use their proton packs to close the portal and save New York City from complete paranormal chaos. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Balloon – A giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man balloon coming to life and wreaking havoc during the climax, reminiscent of the iconic scene from the original film.
These memorable moments contribute to the film’s comedic, action-packed, and nostalgic appeal, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Streaming Platforms
“Ghostbusters” (2016) may be available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, and iTunes, depending on your region and current licensing agreements.
| Streaming Platforms | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Available for rental or purchase. Included with Amazon Prime subscription in some regions. |
| Netflix | Availability varies by region. |
| Hulu | Available with Hulu subscription. |
| Disney+ | Available with Disney+ subscription. |
| HBO Max | Available with HBO Max subscription. |
| Google Play Movies & TV | Available for rental or purchase. |
| YouTube Movies | Available for rental or purchase. |
| iTunes | Available for rental or purchase. |
