In answer to the musical question, “Who you gonna call?”, Sony Pictures has given a novel answer. You gonna call women, is who you gonna call.
The idea of a female “Ghostbusters” squad was greeted with a mix of curiosity and some hilariously sad diatribes by internet deep-thinkers who complained that their childhood memories would be ruined by the presence of icky girls.
For those of us who didn’t grow up worshiping the 1984 original (except for Bill Murray’s gloriously koo-koo presence), the stakes were maybe not so high. If anything, a female cast is about the only reason I could imagine getting interested in a remake.
The good news is, it works — for a long time, anyway. The crew of paranormal investigators is here played by crack comedy hands Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.
These are not only funny people, but they’ve actually got funny lines and situations to play with. Director Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids”), who wrote the film with Katie Dippold, takes the fast-and-furious approach: with so many gags coming along every minute, it doesn’t matter much if some of them flop.
Wiig plays to her understated strengths, especially when trying to catch the attention of the ghostbusters’ receptionist, a dimwitted hunk played by Chris Hemsworth. His non sequiturs (“You know, an aquarium is like a submarine for fish”) are consistently loopy.
McCarthy could use one or two more opportunities to cut loose with her patented verbal improvs. Otherwise, the four make a lively ensemble, and “SNL” regular Kate McKinnon steals the show, with a twitchy performance that marks her as an authentic oddball.
The plot you know: Ghosts are loose in New York, and the city needs protecting. The movie doesn’t have much interest in the paranormal stuff — here, it’s just an excuse for jokes — but the villain (Neil Casey, who summons up a real weirdie vibe) is creepy enough.
The original “Ghostbusters” helped invent a certain kind of lumbering, effects-heavy comedy, and eventually this reboot must pay heed to the requirements of giant ghosts and citywide mayhem. There’s a definite letdown when that happens, but thankfully the jokes keep coming.
Obligatory cameos from 1984 cast members are scattered throughout. Nothing can be a surprise these days, and you can guess who’s in there. Still, the preview audience loudly cheered every appearance.
All in all, an agreeably silly evening at the movies. Even the end credits are peppy. That’s what makes this “Ghostbusters” click: The high spirits are maintained from the ectoplasmic opening sequence to the very end. That’s good enough for a big summer party.
“Ghostbusters” 3 stars
The 1984 hit gets all shook up with a female cast—and when the females are Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, the movie is going to have some laughs. This one maintains its high spirits throughout, even if it doesn’t seem too interested in the paranormal stuff.
Rating: PG-13, for violence
Showing: Alderwood Mall, Cinebarre, Everett, Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood, Meridian, Sundance, Thornton, Woodinville, Cascade Mall, Oak Harbor
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