Ghostbusters Reviews

A fun-filled comedic adventure that's a true defining film of it's decade. Ghostbusters' combustion of laughter, special effects and a tactical cast makes it enjoyable and entertaining for all audiences. 4/5

A total classic and with good reason. MVP Bill Murray. Full review later.

There are a lot of reasons to love the 80's and this is one of them. After seeing it now for the umpteenth time, it's still as ingeniously funny as ever. Some of the special effects may look a little dated compared to what we're spoiled with today, but it doesn't really matter as it's all conceived in such tongue-in-cheek fun. If you for one reason or another haven't seen it yet, make sure you do, because this movie is a total blast and the perfect marriage between sci-fi and high-concept comedy.

"We came. We saw. We kicked its ass."

You've seen it on TV, in bits and pieces. You've picked it up midway and watched to the end, and conversely, you've started it on a lazy afternoon and abandoned it to do something else. You've seen it drunk. You've seen it at eleven in the morning, or three in the morning, or on a winter Saturday night when you'd be crazy to leave the house and pulled it out of your VHS collection, amazed that the tape hadn't flat-out broken down yet. And now - thirty years later - you can see that there's a lot wrong with the film. It looks low-budget, even though it cost thirty million in the 80s, and the science is never explained, just hidden behind acronyms. But the film remains a ton of fun, an old friend that's out there on the ledge of plausibility, using a script with a surprising number of second- and third-viewing jokes and a subtly brilliant performance by a cocky young Bill Murray. The reception our heroes receive in the end is one of the most over-the-top, corniest 80s jubilations you'll ever see, right up there with Ferris Buehler's parade performance, but you're laughing and maybe, even though it's your living room, you're cheering along with the crowd. Not your usual four-star rating, from me, but a film that makes you feel so good you'll forgive its every flaw, every darn time.

The first Ghostbusters film is a very funny movie, and probably one of the most innovative films of the time. Bill Murray does a hysterically well done job as the douche-bag Dr. Peter Venkman, and the other Ghostbusters do great jobs, Dan Akroyd is great as Peters friend Ray, Harold Ramis is great as the techie dude Egon, and Ernie Hudson is great as the cool guy Winston. The effects are incredibly well done, and I think it personally has the best effects of the time, if not some of the best effects ever put in film. The plot is very creative and the best thing about it is that the effects and the comedy never overshadow what it is all about, but adds to how interesting the plot of the film is. If you want to see one of the gems of the 1980s then definitely check this film out.

If you were to watch this now you would probably laugh at the special effects, but I bet they were awesome back in 1984. To me it's a classic; an all around good and fun movie.

'Ghostbusters'. Its effects have aged terribly, but the same can't be said for Bill Murray's comedic genius that draws laughs time and time again.

Notable exception: the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!

I guess the best thing to say about this movie is, if you don't like "Ghostbusters" then you probably hate smiling and cotton candy. Probably, marshmallows too actually. "Ghostbusters" is a true timeless classic, that really stands the test of time. I re-watched this on Blu Ray, and the transfer probably could look better, but the movie is still very fresh and funny. Dan Akroyd, Billy Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson have great chemistry, and you just don't have comedy groups like this anymore. The effects are a tad dated, but that just adds to the charm of it. Plus, where else are you going to get an evil giant Marshmallow Man who threatens to destroy New York? With one of the best movie theme songs ever, this is a movie to be shared with new generations(I watched with my nephews), and to be enjoyed nearly 30 years since it's release.

Dr. Peter Venkman: We came, we saw, we kicked its ass! 

"They're Here To Save The World."

Ghostbusters is a classic comedy that just about everyone is familiar with and just about everyone loves. It's hard not to with the ridiculousness of the ghouls and the hilarity of the ghostbusters. It's a genius comedy written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, both of which play a ghostbuster. It's directed by Ivan Reitman, who does the best thing possible. He let's Bill Murray completely take the film over. Bill Murray is at the top of his game here and gives one of his best comedic performances. The great thing that Murray displays here, is that you don't have to try really hard to be funny. Being funny just comes natural to him.

Three professors at a university who study ghost related phenomena lose their grant and become unemployed. They decide to open up their own business, advertising on tv that they will get the ghosts. Business is slow at first, but after one successful capture; their popularity takes off. It's a great concept for a comedy. Putting these three actors together to be ghostbusters is absolutely brilliant. There's just no way not to enjoy yourself while watching Ghostbusters. It is an increasingly fun experience that you can watch over and over again.

Ghostbusters is endless comedy and endless entertainment. The movie has a pretty fast pace to it and is always entertaining. Watching Ghostbusters for the first time should be a thrill for anyone. It's pretty much a legend of the comedy genre and is essentially required viewing for everyone now. It's classic status is unquestioned. It should be a comedy that is loved by new generations for a long, long time to come. 

Ghostbusters has got to be one of the most inventive, and original comedies in a long time. Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the script to this awesome comedy sci fi horror gem. In the process they created something refreshing and ingenious. Ghostbusters can now be seen as a classic, there are so many things that are memorable in the film, and those elements really made the film what it is. The Stay Puft marshmallow Man attacking New York being one of the prime examples of this film being memorable, another would be Dan Aykroyd's character confronting Slimer for the first time. Ghostbusters is a terrific Comedy Horror film. The film effectively blends different genres to create something new and refreshing. The result is an original supernatural comedy with touches of mystery, horror, and sci fi. The film blends everything so well that you really can't put a label on the genre of this film. It's really a true classic. The acting is great, and the story is very original. Probably one of the most memorable things about this film is the Stay Puft Marshmallow man and of course, Slimer. The actors here are simply terrific, Billy Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis portray the fearless Ghostbusters as they rid New York City of the ghosts of the undead. A terrific film that blends many good genres into one great and memorable film. Ghostbusters is a film that will definitely appeal to different genre fans whether you're a horror fan or comedy fan. This film has something for everyone.

Who ya gonna call?

Hard to believe that this movie came out 28 years ago, until you watch it again and see how young Bill Murry, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver were. The next time you get ready to complain about the price of a DVD or Blue Ray is, I will tell you I paid $69.95 at K mart for the VHS Tape and that was ten dollars less then anywhere else, there wasn't no Wal-Mart back then. Back then it was a 4 star movie, but when I compare it to movies of today I can only muster up 3 stars, but still its a classic that will be shown for years to come.

I love this movie, who doesn't?

A film that on paper doesn't seem like it should work, Ivan Reitman's comedy/action masterpiece works just fine due to groundbreaking special effects and great comedic performances.

There's something quite magical about seeing well made pre-digital old school optical effects - they required so much more imagination from our brains (now anaesthetized by so much digital trickery) and even though they're not always entirely convincing, there's always the "how did they do that?" sense of wonder (how can't one love the sight of a giant marshmallow wreaking havoc in the streets of New York). The film itself appeals to our need for 80s nostalgia, but it hasn't aged as well as some of other fantasy-based comedies from the same time and has lost some of its firecracking energy. Still, it's a welcome reminder of a time before Hollywood went all raunchy and there were pretty good family comedies around - now pretty much an extinct breed. Bill Murray and Rick Moranis have those faces you feel you've known all your life, but that you can't help but laugh at the simple sight of them - but it's Sigourney Weaver who really steals her later scenes with her foxy cross of Regan McNeil and Dr. Frank 'n Further. And who'd have known that the most evil force in the universe would look just like David Bowie.

A truly revolutionary film, and is definitely way ahead of it's time, Bill Murray in particular gave a performance you can't forget, CGI isn't spectacular, but that is just because of it's standard at the time it was made, and is therefore not a problem.

A long forgotten film reviewer described this movie as "a perfectly told joke" and I couldn't agree more. Ghostbusters has always been, in my estimation at least, to be the funniest and most engaging film ever made. There are several reasons for this, but they all start with the stellar direction from Ivan Reitman (who never really gets enough credit). Also credit is due to the wonderful and brilliant writing from Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis in a truly remarkable happy accident of ingenuity. The ensemble cast is quite remarkable too, including Bill Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson and William Atherton. Bill Murray steals the show for the most part but there are lots of great moments for the rest of the cast and each of them has their moment to shine. Combining gothic elements, art deco and a gritty New York sensibility, the actual look of them film really stands out and makes it one of the best-looking comedies probably ever produced. Due to the popularity (and rightly so) of the film's theme song, Elmer Bernstein has never been given quite enough credit for the delightful score. At times it can whimsical and upbeat while also managing to capture the fun of the film's more sinister moments and even its romantic side. Industrial Light And Magic also really out-did themselves and enhanced the story's possibilities with the great special effects on display. The ghosts look great and scary, the proton wand shooting and trapping shots look incredible and the final showdown of the movie is nothing more than pure spectacle. Hardly any film has ever combined horror and comedy so well, and still remained so accessible to so many viewers. If it goes down in history as the funniest comedy of all time, I would happily smile and agree. :)

Ghostbusters is a classic comedy film and the best film that Bill Murray has been cast in to. The laughs come when they need to be. Superbly Silly.

I dont understand, im pretty sure i watched the same movie as everyone else but this is the most unamusing movie ive ever watched!
Admittedly its an 80s movie so i cant expect much from the lack of graphics and how the visual affects are terrible but i found this movie to just be a poor sci-fi that isnt funny and im not sure why its a classic!

They're Here To Save The World.

Good 80's movie. It was very entertaining. This movie won 2 Oscars awards for Best Visual Effects and and Best Original Song. There is no set definition of the word "classic" but I'm sure this film qualifies as such or will in the near future, since it was so unique and popular....and remains so today, over 25 years old later. I know the story is ludicrous and I don't believe for one second in ghosts so I ignore the "theology" and just laugh at Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts and Ernie Hudson.

Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler are three scientists at Columbia University in New York City. When their grant expires, the guys are fired and they go into business as a ghost extermination company called "Ghostbusters". Their first customer is orchestra cello player Dana Barrett, who was scared out of her apartment on the 22nd floor of a high rise apartment building on Central Park West. It seems that Dana's neighbor, Louis Tully, is also being affected by the strange happenings in the apartment building. Armed with proton guns, the Ghostbusters become wildly popular, and they are joined by Winston Zeddmore, who is looking for a job with good pay. Overzealous Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agent Walter Peck thinks the Ghostbusters are frauds, and he has the Ghostbusters put in jail. Peck is forced to believe the Ghostbusters when New York City is put under siege by an ancient Sumerian God named Gozer the Gozerian, who is channeled through the apartment building that Dana and Louis live in, and the mayor has no choice but to let the Ghostbusters out of jail to face Gozer.