Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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 still hold 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

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