From The Vault: Ghostbusters

A new review thread that I have decided to create is called From The Vault. This will consist of a review for a movie that has been out for some time and I am now revisiting the film in the form of a review. For my first dip into my vault, I have to go with my favorite film of all time: Ghostbusters.

Released in the Summer of 1984, Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as scientists who find themselves down on their luck. Out of desperation after being denied further teachings and moved off campus, the three men decide to take a chance on a ghost busting business.

After initially struggling to find enough of a business to continue their venture, they then become overwhelmed with ghost busting that they have to hire another ghostbuster, Winston, (Ernie Hudson) while also employing their receptionist Janine Melnitz, (Annie Potts) full time as well.

During their spike in business, Dr. Peter Venkman (Murray) finds love with a client, Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver). Dana, when not having to avoid the advances of her neighbor, Louis Tully, (Rick Moranis) swears that she saw a devil dog in her refrigerator which called out the name Zuul. During this time, Dr. Ray Stantz, Dr. Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore (Aykroyd, Ramis and Hudson) determine that Zuul is a demigod that serves for Gozer.

With all this information, the Ghostbusters must save Dana, Louis and New York City from the destruction brought forth by Gozer the Destructor.

Ghostbusters is one of those rare films where you have a high-concept idea and everyone involved is at the top of their game. Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote a great screenplay that mixes over the top science with broad humor and brought those into a grounded reality where this situation feels like it could happen. The screenplay provides loads of technical mumbo jumbo, usually spoken in the film by Aykroyd and Ramis, that seems to make no sense, yet can be believable.

Regarding the top of their game, all the actors in this film were cast perfect. Everyone from Bill Murray as the smart-ass Dr. Venkman to William Atherton as the antagonistic EPA Agent Walter Peck. All the actors were brought together with the right material at the right time to create a rare film where everything clicks and works perfectly.

There is not enough high praise that I can heap onto this film. You have a bunch of great comedic talent in front and behind the camera. A smart and funny script is combined with great sets and (dated, but adds to the charm) special effects.

There is a sequel that was created 5 years later, Ghostbusters 2. Though I enjoy the film, you can tell all the returning parties tried too hard to recapture the magic of the first film. Ghostbusters 2 certainly isn't awful, but when compared to the brilliance of the first film, it is dwarfed in all ways possible. And because of how Ghostbusters 2 turned out, I truly dread if Ghostbusters 3 ever gets released.

One is all you need.

The Campaign

It's election season so that means bring on the election spoofs, documentaries, and political-related films that yield mixed results!

Speaking of mixed results, this particular election film is called The Campaign and stars Will Ferrell (a man who provides the most mixed results in film) as Cam Brady. A four-term congressman in North Carolina's 14th District who has continually run opposed. As he is about to be elected, unopposed, for his fifth term, he is interrupted by Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis) who throws his hat into the political ring. Hilarity ensues. (Yes, I went there.)

Anyway, this is a crude, R-rated comedy that mixes raunchy humor with political satire. Marty Huggins is a nice guy who doesn't understand the true game of politics. Cam Brady has been in the political game long enough to understand that your hands will get dirty. After Cam Brady's image is damaged, Glen and Wade Motch (John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd) use their financial power to back Marty Huggins in an attempt to coerce him into office so they can set up Chinese sweatshops in the 14th District and double their already doubled profits. Yeah, I know.

As Marty has never run for office before, the Motch Brothers hire Tim Wattley (Dylan McDermott) as Marty's campaign manager and have him get Marty into political shape. Meanwhile, Cam and his campaign manager Mitch Wilson (Jason Sudeikis) deal with trying to restore Cam's image while destroying Marty's.

What follows are a bunch of hit and miss satire, crude, slapstick or some combination of those types of jokes. As with any Will Ferrell film, some jokes hit and some jokes fall flat. The funniest jokes come when the script wants to go for smart satire. Some of the commercials and interesting ideas like Cam Brady's car and two punching sequences are highlights. When the scripts goes for more lowbrow humor, like creating a sextape, the ideas become almost groan-inducing.

Will Ferrell has played this character before and could probably do it in his sleep. Zach Galifianakis plays Marty as a nice guy who gets caught up in the political game. His arc is probably the most defined as we follow him throughout the film. Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow play the bland, stereotypical bad guys who are there to explain the plot motivations and then disappear until the plot requires them to return while Brian Cox is practically wasted as Marty's father. The standout for me was Dylan McDermott's character of Tim Wattley. His portrayal of a man who will do whatever it takes to ensure his candidate wins was the funniest of the film. The way he has no remorse, especially towards Marty's family was some of the more entertaining stuff in the film.

As I thought this would be, the film was a mixed bag. When the film hit, it did so in some pretty big ways. Unfortunately, wedged in between big laughs, were long periods of silence as the plot advanced and mild chuckles as some jokes landed with a thud. As I always find Will Ferrell films hit and miss, this fits perfectly into that mold. This is no Anchorman, but thankfully, this is also not Kicking and Screaming.

5.3/10