Ghostbusters is one of the most popular movies of all time. It has a 95% on RottenTomatoes.com and in 2014 was rated the 77th greatest film of all time in a Hollywood Reporter’s poll. Now, I don’t know about you, but those are some credentials if I’ve ever heard them. If that many people like what you’re laying down, you have to be doing something right.
And I can honestly say, for a movie that was written in 1984, it doesn’t sound like it was written in 1984. Watching this movie today, it sounds pretty timeless. It certainly LOOKS like it was made in 1984, that’s for sure. People just don’t use that much hairspray anymore. Aqua Net was a big part of the budget back then. But the script sounds like it could’ve been written by somebody today and made on some streaming service. It’s witty and sarcastic. There’s no time specific references in the dialogue. It makes you wonder if that’s the reason why it’s been so popular for so long. Because it’s not IN the 80s specifically. When you really listen to the script, they’re really just kind of there.
And popular doesn’t even begin to describe it. There’s been four separate sequels, two different cartoons, countless toys, games, collectibles, and anything else you can think of that they could put the Ghostbuster logo on. And let’s not forget about Hi-C’s Ecto Punch. The juice box with Slimer on it. I don’t even know what flavor that was. It was green. Green isn’t a flavor. But that’s merchandising for you. KISS literally sold “Air Guitar Strings” at the height of their popularity in the 70s. Not a joke. Look it up…
We’re getting off topic here, though. Ghostbusters wouldn’t have been so successful if it weren’t for the acting ability of Bill Murray. Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the script. But Peter Venkman was the charismatic Ghostbuster all throughout the movie. Akroyd originally wanted to get John Belushi for the role, after working with Belushi on The Blues Brothers. But then Belushi died, so Akroyd got somebody else from Saturday Night Live. Murray being the obvious choice, after having just done Caddyshack a few years prior.
So, yeah. Go and see Ghostbusters. Not only is it one of the all-time great movies of this generation, but you might even learn something about ghosts. If you’re into that sort of thing. And if you’re not, well, who you gonna call? And as always, keep on watching, with a smile on your face…
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