2004 ghost comedyRating: 15/20 (Emma: 14/20; Abbey: 17/20)
Plot: A trio of paranormal psychologists open up a ghost extermination business after getting kicked off the university campus in which they research. They become a phenomenon as ghost encounters in Manhattan grow with the impending arrival of some devil thing.
Silliness abounds in this picture that adeptly combines comedy and horror in a very mainstream way. The special effects range from very good (the ghost in the hotel, the stuff in the library, the climactic arrival of the marshmallow man) to "How the heck did anybody think that looked good enough to be in a movie?" (the dog chasing Rick Moranis around). More subtle effects would have worked better for some of the monsters or the big castle thing, too. The story and comedy ranges from clever, especially when things are subtle, to just a little too much. Bill Murray is perfectly funny, and like a lot of his stuff, you really have to pay attention to his face even when he's not the one delivering the lines that are supposed to be funny. A Ghostbusters 3 just wouldn't work without him, and they should abandon the project immediately. The other guys are funny as well, and Sigourney Weaver maybe never looked better. Neither has the ultra-sexy Rick Moranis who also looks like a comedic genius here. And my argument hasn't changed much from when I first saw this in a theater: There's nothing more exhilarating than seeing that grinning marshmallow man. It's impossible not to see that monstrosity and laugh, isn't it?
I think I caught the sequel to this but remember nothing about it. Worth my time?
One of those rare 1980's movies that has aged very well. Part of it, is the male leads are timeless....their clothes, and hairstyles are good in 1986 or 2012. You are exactly right on Sigourney Weaver, as this movie is her at her physical prime. You get why Bill Murray is smitten, and she is a good anchor to the madness going on all around her. I have always thought that Dan Aykroyd is the second worst actor to ever receive an Academy Award nomination, but in this film he is perfectly cast, and Harold Ramis is a great uber-nerd. I too am impressed with how the special effects have held up. (And yes, the Dog is a notable exception.)
ReplyDeleteThe movie is Bill Murray's from beginning to end, and you have to watch him every second he is on screen. The height of Murrays powers, and a mega blockbuster is what we got out of it.
I give this sucker an 18. I actually like it even more now, than I did when it came out almost three decades ago.
Oh and the worst ACTOR to ever receive an Academy Award nomination is William Bendix. In case you were wondering.
ReplyDeleteOh and the worst ACTOR to ever receive an Academy Award nomination is William Bendix. In case you were wondering.
ReplyDeleteDammit..DOUBLE POST. Freaking blog.
ReplyDeleteAND, the sequel is NOT worth seeing again. Its quite disappointing actually. Neither funny, nor scary.
ReplyDeletewhat in god's name did aykroyd get nominated for?
ReplyDeleteDriving Miss Daisy...
ReplyDeleteHe's also been nominated for a handful of Golden Raspberries.
Murray does steal every single scene he is in, and his dry, sarcastic humor is the main reason to see what would otherwise be a fairly silly film. A 17.
ReplyDelete...by the way, Weaver at the end of Alien is the best...you know what I'm talking about.
Ill-fitting underpants!
ReplyDelete