Lightning Review: Ghostbusters 2

Synopsis
Five years after their battle with Gozer, the Ghostbusters, Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), have disbanded. But the when the negativity of New York begins to materialize as a mysterious river of ectoplasm underneath the city, they must reform to control the resurgence of paranormal activity.

Review
Successful sequels can be difficult to pull off because they need to remain true to the previous film(s) while standing on their own. Unfortunately, I think Ghostbusters 2 tries too hard to capture what made Ghostbusters so entertaining and fails to offer something different. It follows very much the same formula as the first: the Ghostbusters come together, there is a montage of them catching random ghosts throughout the city while researching the big baddie, then the team focuses on the villain. There really isn’t too much unique about it. The cast didn’t seem to be as energetic as before, particularly Bill Murray. He was able to shine by playing on the character’s selfishness but Peter and Dana’s (Sigourney Weaver) relationship became one of the central focuses of the film, derailing Murray’s humor, as well as the story. Rick Moranis, one of the best parts about Ghostbusters, gets a larger role this time around but he isn’t used as effectively. In the end, Ghostbusters 2 was too similar to it’s predecessor to really stand on its own and failed to recapture to magic of Ghostbusters.

Rating
2.5/5

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Ivan Reitman – Director
Dan Aykroyd – Writer
Harold Ramis – Writer
Randy Edelman – Composer

Bill Murray – Dr. Peter Venkman
Dan Aykroyd – Dr. Raymond Stantz
Harold Ramis – Dr. Egon Spengler
Ernie Hudon – Winston Zeddmore
Sigourney Weaver – Dana Barrett
Rick Moranis – Louis Tully
Annie Potts – Janine Melnitz
Peter MacNicol – Dr. Janosz Poha
Harris Yulin – The Judge
David Margulies – Mayor
Kurt Fuller – Hardemeyer
Wilhelm von Homburg – Vigo
Max von Sydow – Vigo (voice)

Ghostbusters Review

Synopsis
Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are parapsychologists who create the Ghostbusters after losing their jobs at Columbia University. They use their knowledge of the paranormal to rid the streets of New York from ghosts. But they mey have met their toughest spirit yet when they get a call from Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) after she sees a demon in her fridge.

Review
I can’t remember the first time I saw Ghostbusters, but I do remember I was really young and I really, really enjoyed it. Bill Murray’s quips, Dan Aykroyd’s excitement (particularly over slime) and Harold Ramis’ dramatic scientific babble all entranced me. It may seem like a weird mix, but they somehow manage to craft a story that is equally enjoyed by both my younger and older selves.

This movie’s success no doubt comes from the chemistry between Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis. The way they are able to bounce off each other is fantastic. Each brings their own sense of humor to the mix; Murray is great at improvisation and gives some of the most memorable lines, and Ramis is more science nerd than the others, but Aykroyd is the heart of the cast. He is brimming with energy that comes through the screen and you can’t help yourself but smile.

Rick Moranis is the unsung hero of Ghostbusters. Like with Aykroyd, Moranis brings so much energy to his performance. He is a socially awkward accountant who lives across the hall from Dana Barret (Sigourney Weaver). I can’t mention enough how fantastic Moranis is with the role. He is able to do more with the part than I’m sure was originally intended.

Ghostbusters was very well paced. Gozer was introduced when they first start busting ghosts and they came back to it in between other ghosts but that plot point is not developed until the end. We get to see the Ghostbusters become celebrities without the ghosts becoming too daunting. Then we see why these guys are perfect for the job of taking down a demon.

Often times in comedies, large special effects take focus away from the jokes, but not in this movie. The special effects work well in the film and actually add to the comedy. Some funny gags come from the special effects. I mean, they were responsible for Slimer after all.

No matter how old you are, you will enjoy Ghostbusters. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis are a great comedy team. Although Rick Moranis steals the show with his performance, an incredible feat given the rest of the cast. He is so energetic and plays the socially awkward neighbor perfectly. Excellent pacing and special effects only add to the experience. So in the words of Ray Parker, Jr., “Who ya gonna call?”

Rating
4.5/5

Also check my review for the sequel, Ghostbusters 2.

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Ivan Reitman – Director
Dan Aykroyd – Writer
Harold Ramis – Writer
Elmer Bernstein – Composer

Bill Murray – Dr. Peter Venkman
Dan Aykroyd – Dr. Raymond Stantz
Harold Ramis – Dr. Egon Spengler
Sigourney Weaver – Dana Barrett
Rick Moranis – Louis Tully
Annie Potts – Janine Melnitz
Ernie Hudon – Winston Zeddmore
William Atherton – Walter Peck
David Margulies – Mayor
Slavitza Jovan – Gozer
Paddi Edwards – Gozer (voice)

Stripes Review

Synopsis
John Winger (Bill Murray) loses his job, his girlfriend and his car in one day. Tired of his life going nowhere, he decides to join the US army. He convinces his best friend Russel (Harold Ramis) to join with him. They expect it to be a quick way to pick up women and a fast track to the good life, but basic training isn’t as easy as they expected.

Review
Stripes could have very easily become a dark movie given its military setting. Thankfully, it maintains a lightheartedness throughout the entire film, mostly due to the great comedy pair of Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. It is one of Murray’s and Ramis’ earliest comedies together, so they are a little rough around the edges. But they still offer some pretty good laughs, especially when bouncing off each other, as well as the spectacular supporting cast.

There is no doubt that part of the success of this movie stems from Bill Murray. His humor capitalizes on the army backdrop and lightens what could have become a very dark setting. Harold Ramis brings his own unique sense of humor to his role as Murray’s best friend, though not as successful as Murray. These two play fairly well off each other and when they are together offer some of the funniest moments of the film.

John Candy is probably my favorite member of the supporting cast. I think I laughed harder at his gags than either Murray or Ramis. Candy is just a great comedian. Warren Oates (Conrad Dunn) was great as the antagonist for Murray’s character. He was much more stern and straight-faced than Murray, but still had a few comedy moments. Oates’ speech during his introduction was great, too.

I really dug Elmer Bernstein’s score. His military march that is played frequently is catchy and captures the movie’s essence. It works equally as well during the introduction of the boot camp or a victory march.

The last act of the movie felt a little out of place compared to the rest of the film. The platoon goes to Italy to guard the secret “EM-50” project. This leads to Murray and Ramis heading Germany to visit their girlfriends and getting the rest of the platoon captured. I guess they couldn’t stay at the boot camp for the whole movie, but the setting doesn’t seem to fit with the first two-thirds of the movie.

One of Bill Murray’s and Harold Ramis’ first comedies, Stripes offers a lighthearted look at the military. Murray carries the movie well, especially when sharing the screen with Ramis. Easily the highlight of the movie, however, is John Candy, whose jokes made me laugh the hardest. The only problem I had with the film is the last act felt out of place with the rest of the movie. Stripes shows just how great a comedy duo Murray and Ramis can be together, each with their unique brand of comedy that compliments each other fantastically.

Rating
3.5/5

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Ivan Reitman – Director
Len Blum – Writer
Daniel Goldberg – Writer
Harold Ramis – Writer
Elmer Bernstein – Composer

Bill Murray – John Winger
Harold Ramis – Russell Ziskey
Warren Oates – Sgt. Hulka
John Candy – Dewey “Ox” Oxberger
PJ Soles – Stella Hansen
Sean Young – Louise Cooper
John Larroquette – Capt. Stillman
John Diehl – Cruiser
Conrad Dunn – Francis ‘Psycho’ Sawyer
Judge Reinhold – Elmo Blum