Tuesday, October 11, 2016

31 Days of Halloween: Ghostbusters: Answer The Call



PG-13; 117 mins (Theatrical) /134 mins (Extended); Walmart
Being released this week on 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray & Digital, and DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the supernatural-comedy Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, the reboot of the 1984 classic Ghostbusters. Directed by Paul Feig, the film stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. There are cameos by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver.

The film centers on Physicists Abby Yates and Erin Gilbert, and engineer Jillian Holtzmann witnessing a ghost sighting in a New York library. Afterward the trio decide to start their own ghost hunting business called "Conductors of the Metaphysical Examination" above a Chinese restaurant.

Hotzmann builds ghost trapping equipment, while the Yates and Gilbert hire a dumb receptionist, Kevin Beckman. Eventually, they recruit Patty Tolan, a MTA worker, to join their team.

After learning that electronic devices have been placed throughout the city to summon ghosts, the Ghostbusters sets out to find out who is responsible. This all leads leads them to a mad scientist, Rowan North, who plans on releasing hundreds of ghosts upon the city.

Special Features on the Blu-ray are:

  • 2 Hysterical Haunting Gag Reels
  • 4 Unearthed Deleted Scenes
  • 11 Totally Possessed Alternate Scenes
  • 6 Jokes-A-Plenty Alternate Take Reels
  • Undertaking a Supernatural Feat: 5 Making-of-Featurettes
    • "Chris Hemsworth is 'Kevin'"
    • "The Ghosts of Ghostbusters"
    • "Meet the Team"
    • "Visual Effects: 30 Years Later"
    • "Slime Time"
  • Filmmaker Commentaries
  • Photo Gallery
  • Escaped from the Cutting Room Outtakes
    • The Patty Show
    • Holtzmann Gone Wild
    • Kevin Unleashed


Final Thoughts: I grew up watching the original movies and "The Real Ghostbusters" animated series, so like most fans, I was a little disappointed when the all-female reboot was announced in 2015. I would rather have a second sequel instead of a remake. Nevertheless, a remake/reboot made it's way to theaters during the summer, receiving positive to mixed reviews for mainstream critics. Reaction from moviegoers and fans of the original movies were mixed to negative. While the film didn't exactly flop at the box office, it was still considered a disappointment.

Despite my nostalgic feelings, I made sure to have an open mind when I viewed the Ghostbusters: Answer The Call Blu-ray.

Well, the good new is the film isn't a shot-by-shot remake, but instead if features new characters and a new plot. Most of the CGI effects look good, except for the one scene with the ghost on a woman's neck. The scene-stealer ghost Slimmer has a small part towards the ending of the film. The character looks less like the one that was in the original films and more like the one from the cartoon series. Actually, many of the ghosts in the reboot looks a little too cartooonish.

While the acting is pretty decent for the most part, in my opinion Melissa McCarthy and Kirsten Wiig were miscast. Both actresses overacted through the entire film, making the characters look one-dimensional. Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones both gave funny performances and were the standouts out of the new characters. Of course, I liked all the cameos from the original Ghostbusters' cast.

Overall, while I was entertained for the entire running-time, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call is an average movie at best. It could have been better if it had funnier jokes and had a more interesting villain.



*I received a complimentary copy from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. All opinions are my own.




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