Ghostbusters (1984) Review

Ghostbusters

Release Date: 15th November 1984 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures

Distribution

Sony Pictures Australia

Genre: Comedy/Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 101 minutes


Budget: $30,000,000

Box Office Gross: $296,578,797 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Three parapsychology doctors, Venkman, Stantz and Spengler, have been fired by the University after delving too many times into studying the occult. Intent on proving them wrong, they decided to go into their own business as investigators and exterminators called "Ghostbusters" that will catch any supernatural pests lurking in New York City for a price. As their business is booming, our heroes come face to face with an ancient demon named Gozer. Will the

Ghostbusters save Manhattan

from the evil entity, who

comes from an inter-

dimensional gateway with

sinister plans to raise any

unspeakable evil?

Cast

Bill Murray - Dr. Peter Venkman

Dan Aykroyd - Dr. Raymond Stantz

Harold Ramis - Dr. Egon Spengler

Ernie Hudson - Winston Zeddmore

Sigourney Weaver - Dana
Barrett

Rick Moranis - Louis Tully

Annie Potts - Janine Melintz
William Atherton - William Peck
Slavitza Jovan - Gozer

Paddi Edwards - Gozer

(Voice) Uncredited)

Ivan Reitman - Zuul/Slimer (Voice)
David Marguiles - Mayor
Steven Tash - Male Student
Jennifer Runyon - Female Student
Michael Ensign - Hotel Manager
Alice Drummond - Librarian
Jordan Charney - Dean Yeager
John Rothman - Library Administrator
Ruth Oliver - Library Ghost
Kymberly Herrin - Dream Ghost
Norman Matlock - Police Commissioner
Reginald VelJohnson - Jail Guard
Kathryn Janssen - Mrs. Van Hoffman
Roger Grimsby - Himself (Cameo)
Larry King - Himself (Cameo)
Joe Franklin - Himself (Cameo)
Casey Kasem - Himself (Voice) (Cameo)
Billy Bryan - Stay Puff Marshmallow Man
(Uncredited)
Mark Bryon Wilson - Slimer (Uncredited)
Eldo Ray Estes - Redheaded Man (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - Ivan Reitman

Writers - Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

and Rick Moranis (Uncredited)

Associate Producers - Michael C. Gross
and Joe Medjuck
Executive Producer - Bernie Brillstein

Casting Director - Karen Rea

Production Designer - John DeCuir

Creature Design Consultant/Animation

Supervisor: EEG - Terry Windell
Art Director - John DeCuir Jr.

Set Decorator - Marvin March

Costumes - Theoni V. Alderage

Director of Photography - László Kovács

Camera Operator - Robert M. Stevens

Unit Production Manager: New York -

Patrick McCormick

First Assistant Director - Gary Daigler

First Assistant Director: New York -

Peter Giuliano

Second Assistant Director - Katterli Frauenfelder

Special Effects Supervisor - Chuck Gaspar
Mechanical Effects Supervisor: EEG -

Thaine Morris

Visual Effects - Richard Edlund
Visual Effects Art Director: EEG - John Bruno
Head of Ghost Shop: EEG - Stuart Ziff

Ghost Shop Advisor: EEG - Jon Berg

Sculptor: Librarian/Onion Head, EEG -

Steve Johnson

Sculptors: Staypuft, EEG - Billy Bryan and

Linda Frobos

Model Shop Supervisor: EEG - Mark Stetson

Chief Cameraman: EEG - Bill Neil

Camera Operators: EEG - Jim Aupperle

and John Lambert

Assistant Cameramen: EEG - Clint Palmer,

Pete Romano and Jody Westheimer

Matte Department Supervisor: EEG - Neil Krepela

Chief Matte Artist: EEG - Matthew Yuricich

Matte Artists: EEG - Constantine Ganakes

and Michele Moen
Animation Supervisor: EEG - Garry Waller

Dimension Animation Effects: EEG -

Randall William Cook

Optical Supervisor: EEG - Mark Vargo

Visual Effects Editor: EEG - Conrad Buff IV

Film Editors - David E. Blewitt and Sheldon Kahn
Sound Designers - Richard Beggs

and Tom McCarthy Jr.

Production Sound Mixer - Gene S. Cantamessa

Re-Recording Mixers - Rick Alexander,

Les Fresholtz and Vern Poore
Writer/Performer: Song "Ghostbusters" -

Ray Parker Jr.

Music - Elmer Bernstein


Awards

1985 Academy Awards
Best Visual Effects - Richard Edlund, John Bruno,
Mark Vargo and Chuck Gaspar (Nominated)
Best Music, Original Song "Ghostbusters" -
Ray Parker Jr. (Nominated)

Review

G'day filmgoers, here's a review of a movie that, believe it or not, is a supernatural comedy. Who you're going to call? Why it's GHOSTBUSTERS, and it's great that you're watching a movie about catching ghosts rather than seeing scary horror flicks in your home theatre. I re-watched this movie and understood the humour I hadn't laughed at since childhood. Like some of the old unforgettable comedies, it was timeless, with a few jokes that had become increasingly dated. Still, older viewers who have previously seen the original GHOSTBUSTERS will look at this farce with memories and laughter.

The original actors, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, were marvellously funny and memorable enough to have stand-out performances and publicity. Other actors like Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver were also terrific in their roles, and both characters get tangled in these superstitious events. Most of the effects held up as an achievement in this film. In noticeable ways, its stop-motion animation has now become outdated.

I conclude from this review that GHOSTBUSTERS was ghoulishly entertaining. I am not a big fan of it like my brother. It is an enjoyable feature as it has some frightening parts.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

Back to Home