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Ghostbusters Review Thread [Certified Fresh - 75%]

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Matty77

Member
Mad Max is in kind of a grey area, especially since it still has the original director involved. If it does count as a remake though, it's the best one ever made by several light years :D

EDIT: Ooh forgot about Dredd, that would be up there too. Though again that may be a little fuzzy, since it's more like a second attempt at an adaptation. So sad that it failed at the box office :(
Just want to chime in and say according to George Miller it's not a reboot or remake, just a previously unseen story from Max's life, and of course it's a new cast, Gibson couldn't do it forever especially in a story that takes place when Max was young before thunder dome.
 
Good video. I don't think anyone can really argue with her when she says she agrees with everything Rolfe says and the reason he got fucked over for his video and she didn't was because she's a woman. It's telling about the controversy.

She also talks about the witchhunts for people giving negative reviews. It's a real thing she backs up with a video of Roeper responding to being called a sexist. That could absolutely be a factor in people not wanting to give too low of a rating.

Did she make a literal I refuse to see this video?

She also has like no real pull outside her decent sized but not actually all that big subscription based.

Rolfe is one of the big youtubers, his channel literally has about 5 times the subscribers.

She was never going to like this movie and that's fine, but her narrative is basically sexism wasn't a big deal or prevalent and that all the down votes was just anti reboot backlash that somehow just managed to coalesce around the one reboot with women in it....

That she believes that since she didn't like it that that must mean all those who did are just afraid means she should not be the go to historian for this event.
 

Jazzem

Member
Just want to chime in and say according to George Miller it's not a reboot or remake, just a previously unseen story from Max's life, and of course it's a new cast, Gibson couldn't do it forever especially in a story that takes place when Max was young before thunder dome.

Interesting, I think we need some new terms added to the lexicon for for anomalies like this ahah. Reminds me of the "remaster vs remake vs port" confusion with games.
 

Piano

Banned
Saw it last night. Was expecting a 4/10 movie based on everything I've read, and was pleasantly delighted that it was more like a 7.5/10. It's successful as a comedy film, and mostly successful as a Ghostbusters film. It also gets better as it develops and they get into the thick of things - the early segments drag a bit.

Definitely worth a watch, in my opinion.
 

Matty77

Member
Interesting, I think we need some new terms added to the lexicon for for anomalies like this ahah. Reminds me of the "remaster vs remake vs port" confusion with games.

It's what I call a soft reboot actually.

The terms I use and how are.

Remake-same characters, same situation basically with enough differences to call it's own, but not always examples-Psycho, Hills have eyes, Nightmare on elm street

Reboot-all past continuity thrown out, mostly new characters or situation, small connections to previous films- The thing, the new Friday the 13th, I would even say the new Dawn as the only similarities are zombies and a mall.

Then you have soft reboots which I feel Fury Road is regardless of what Miller says and a soft reboot is

No connection or slight links to the past, brand new jump in don't need to know the history story for a new audience. However with movies like these the old stuff still happened, they are just not forcing people to know or care but if you do it's a bonus.

Examples other than Fury Road would be Vacation or curse of Chucky.
 

Monocle

Member
I saw this for a second time recently and loved it all over again. Everything works. Ghostbusters is funny and entertaining the whole way through. I think I had even more fun the second time around.

One thing I really appreciate about this movie is how it's progressive in such an organic way, without coming off as forced or preachy. I enjoy how it subverts overplayed tropes like:

- the dumb blonde
- the hot receptionist (in this case the same character)
- cynical and overly skeptical authorities
- bumbling uncool scientists
- traditional gender roles
- credulous acceptance of the supernatural being a more enlightened alternative to science

The movie avoids or more often inverts these cliches with real wit. You'd almost think the villain was written as a satirical commentary on the dumb backlash. The bit about the Youtube comments is dead on. It's a genuine pleasure to watch a massive pile of nonsense turned on its head and harnessed for the righteous cause of pure goofy fun. 

There's no way I can list all the things Ghostbusters does right. The art design is great, from the vivid ghost effects (I love how colorful they are), to Holzman's cobbled together inventions that look like they could explode any second. The soundtrack basically takes you by the ears and presses your face right up into the lively pulse that courses through the whole movie. I love the updated Ghostbusters theme and the orchestral score that goes from spectral wonder to boisterous kickass adventure mode. The plot is straightforward and even simplistic, but importantly, it's not so lean that it feels unsatisfying. And then there's the characters.

Holzman has incredible charisma. She gives every line a little something extra, and even when she's off to the side of the frame or in the far background she's so animated. Did you notice the little flirty spark between she and Erin? It's subtle enough to fly over the heads of prudish parents. Holzman's voice, expressions, body language... it all comes together in a kooky, memorable, one of a kind performance. Despite being surrounded by a very strong ensemble cast, this lady steals the show. 

Patty is also a major standout. The trailers made her look like a borderline offensive stereotype of an urban black woman. I was happy when I first saw the movie and this turned out not to be the case. The second time, though, I really paid attention. I want to highlight the fact that Patty is instrumental to the team, and not just because she loans them a ride and pitches in to fight a few ghosts. At one point she mentions that she reads a lot of nonfiction, and sure enough, she's always dropping useful and relevant info about the city. Patty isn't just street smart, she's informed: she knows New York City and its history. She's resourceful in other ways too, like when the team has to improvise
a way to close the portal,
and she suggests they use
the nuclear reactor on top of their car.
Patty could have been a lame token character, but like the rest of them, she was written and performed with heart and real substance. 

I have just as much to say about Erin and Abby, but I don't want to be here forever so I'll mention only a couple of points. Though this pair brings plenty to the table individually, they complement each other so naturally. Early on, their friction provides the hint of conflict the movie needs to start defining the characters. You've got to have contrasting personalities for a team movie to work. It's a simple and effective intro device to have Erin and Abby start off at odds and then rekindle their friendship over that first ghost encounter. I'm going out of my way to state the obvious here because I think it's interesting how they have a similar focusing effect on the people around them. It's through Erin and Abby that the other characters, especially the supporting characters like Kevin and Rowan (who I could also go on about), are integrated in the story, when they otherwise might have felt tacked on and distinctly separated from the core group. 

Ghostbusters is such a joyful and earnest movie. I can't remember the last time I saw something like it. Maybe Speed Racer? But Ghostbusters is definitely better as an overall package. The plot, humor, characters, and productions values come together with spectacular results. It's got little tinges of the creepy, tender, and sexy. It's heartfelt and current (in the sense that there are small nods to the present social climate). It doesn't shy away from or trivialize charged concepts like sexism and suicide, yet it still manages to stay light. Most important of all, it has a totally genuine wide-eyed sense of fun. The characters have fun and the movie wants you to have fun. Even the credits are like party that doesn't want to end. 

The preemptive backlash is hilariously off the mark. The Rotten Tomatoes aggregate ought to be higher. I'm prepared to call this movie a modern classic. It's certainly one of my personal favorites of the decade so far. I plan to see it a third time within the week.

(There are probably some lame typos in here, but they'll have to wait till later.)
 

pompidu

Member
I normally like Angry Joe, but I completely disagree with him here and I feel like he's picking on the film for dumb reasons.

I saw the movie this weekend. Grew up with the movies just like all of us. I really enjoyed it. It's a Ghostbusters movie. It was fine. I even laughed at the queef joke. *shrug*

What were the dumb reasons you did not agree with?
 
Expected considering the franchise is more popular than Robocop and way, way more popular than Dredd. Also probably had a bigger marketing budget than both films combined.

But what about the Terminator franchise? Terminator 2 alone made more than the first two Ghostbusters combined, and that's with an R rating. The franchise has over twice as many movies as Ghostbusters, so it hasn't been out of the public eye for nearly as long as Ghostbusters.

I think it's safe to say that if Ghostbusters got the reaction that it did because it was a reboot with shitty trailers, Terminator: Genysis would have gotten a similar backlash. Mostly people just thought it looked mediocre and moved on, which is what people should have done when they saw the Ghostbusters trailer if the only thing that mattered was the reboot aspect.
 

Lothar

Banned
So its a really good video. Im kinda bummed that she says the movie isnt good. I was thinking about taking my sister to watch it - because she NEVER goes to the movies, only watches telenovelas

Maybe i should take her anyway

It should be said that she is very critical and not a fan of easy entertainment that's just for fun. She didn't like Jurassic World either. She completely ripped apart the Game of Thrones big battle episode this season that everyone loved. I subscribe to her and like her because she is very critical, so she has interesting takes, but she is critical. Any remake would have to probably be both good and wildly different to get a positive review from her. They can't be going for something just to make money. She isn't going to tolerate a remake that is similar but inferior.

Did she make a literal I refuse to see this video?

She made a "Everyone should refuse to see this" video and said everyone paying for it would be to blame for a Back to the Future remake. I guess she went see it because she felt obligated.

It's hard to tell what percentage of the down votes was sexism and which was because the video was horrendous.
 
I saw this for a second time recently and loved it all over again. Everything works. Ghostbusters is funny and entertaining the whole way through. I think I had even more fun the second time around.

One thing I really appreciate about this movie is how it's progressive in such an organic way, without coming off as forced or preachy. I enjoy how it subverts overplayed tropes like:

- the dumb blonde
- the hot receptionist (in this case the same character)
- cynical and overly skeptical authorities
- bumbling uncool scientists
- traditional gender roles
- credulous acceptance of the supernatural being a more enlightened alternative to science

The movie avoids or more often inverts these cliches with real wit. You'd almost think the villain was written as a satirical commentary on the dumb backlash. The bit about the Youtube comments is dead on. It's a genuine pleasure to watch a massive pile of nonsense turned on its head and harnessed for the righteous cause of pure goofy fun. 

There's no way I can list all the things Ghostbusters does right. The art design is great, from the vivid ghost effects (I love how colorful they are), to Holzman's cobbled together inventions that look like they could explode any second. The soundtrack basically takes you by the ears and presses your face right up into the lively pulse that courses through the whole movie. I love the updated Ghostbusters theme and the orchestral score that goes from spectral wonder to boisterous kickass adventure mode. The plot is straightforward and even simplistic, but importantly, it's not so lean that it feels unsatisfying. And then there's the characters.

Holzman has incredible charisma. She gives every line a little something extra, and even when she's off to the side of the frame or in the far background she's so animated. Did you notice the little flirty spark between she and Erin? It's subtle enough to fly over the heads of prudish parents. Holzman's voice, expressions, body language... it all comes together in a kooky, memorable, one of a kind performance. Despite being surrounded by a very strong ensemble cast, this lady steals the show. 

Patty is also a major standout. The trailers made her look like a borderline offensive stereotype of an urban black woman. I was happy when I first saw the movie and this turned out not to be the case. The second time, though, I really paid attention. I want to highlight the fact that Patty is instrumental to the team, and not just because she loans them a ride and pitches in to fight a few ghosts. At one point she mentions that she reads a lot of nonfiction, and sure enough, she's always dropping useful and relevant info about the city. Patty isn't just street smart, she's informed: she knows New York City and its history. She's resourceful in other ways too, like when the team has to improvise
a way to close the portal,
and she suggests they use
the nuclear reactor on top of their car.
Patty could have been a lame token character, but like the rest of them, she was written and performed with heart and real substance. 

I have just as much to say about Erin and Abby, but I don't want to be here forever so I'll mention only a couple of points. Though this pair brings plenty to the table individually, they complement each other so naturally. Early on, their friction provides the hint of conflict the movie needs to start defining the characters. You've got to have contrasting personalities for a team movie to work. It's a simple and effective intro device to have Erin and Abby start off at odds and then rekindle their friendship over that first ghost encounter. I'm going out of my way to state the obvious here because I think it's interesting how they have a similar focusing effect on the people around them. It's through Erin and Abby that the other characters, especially the supporting characters like Kevin and Rowan (who I could also go on about), are integrated in the story, when they otherwise might have felt tacked on and distinctly separated from the core group. 

Ghostbusters is such a joyful and earnest movie. I can't remember the last time I saw something like it. Maybe Speed Racer? But Ghostbusters is definitely better as an overall package. The plot, humor, characters, and productions values come together with spectacular results. It's got little tinges of the creepy, tender, and sexy. It's heartfelt and current (in the sense that there are small nods to the present social climate). It doesn't shy away from or trivialize charged concepts like sexism and suicide, yet it still manages to stay light. Most important of all, it has a totally genuine wide-eyed sense of fun. The characters have fun and the movie wants you to have fun. Even the credits are like party that doesn't want to end. 

The preemptive backlash is hilariously off the mark. The Rotten Tomatoes aggregate ought to be higher. I'm prepared to call this movie a modern classic. It's certainly one of my personal favorites of the decade so far. I plan to see it a third time within the week.

(There are probably some lame typos in here, but they'll have to wait till later.)

<3
 
Just watched the angry Joe review on this. He tears this movie apart. I usually on the same page as him so I'm glad I'm skipping this. But man he did not like it at all.


I skip this review for this movie.

He was always mad at the whole concept... I knew his review was going to be totally bias from a fanboy..

As much as I loved the original GB (even the 2nd for nostalgia) this new movie was not bad at all...
 

thefro

Member
Isn't Casino Royale a reboot?

It's sort of a prequel/reboot in some ways, but 1) the Bond films pre-Casino Royale are mostly stand-alone with not a lot of elements linking them together and 2) it's based on Fleming's novel, which was never seriously adapted as a movie before. Generally the hardcore Bond fans love all the Fleming stuff and treat it as gospel, so most of them were happy.

Remember, there was still a whole "Craig not Bond!" movement for a while from some idiots before the film came out when he showed up to the reveal with longer blonde hair and wearing a life jacket. That was mainly the fans of Pierce Brosnan though.
 
Did she seriously just say that people are only giving it positive reviews instead of being "honest" because of fears of backlash, eerily like a lot of those conspiracy theorists from earlier in this thread?

Because yikes.
With a small minority i wouldnt be surprised tho.
 
It's sort of a prequel/reboot in some ways, but 1) the Bond films pre-Casino Royale are mostly stand-alone with not a lot of elements linking them together and 2) it's based on Fleming's novel, which was never seriously adapted as a movie before. Generally the hardcore Bond fans love all the Fleming stuff and treat it as gospel, so most of them were happy.

Remember, there was still a whole "Craig not Bond!" movement for a while from some idiots before the film came out when he showed up to the reveal with longer blonde hair and wearing a life jacket. That was mainly the fans of Pierce Brosnan though.

And we ended up getting the best Bond, too.
 
Did she seriously just say that people are only giving it positive reviews instead of being "honest" because of fears of backlash, eerily like a lot of those conspiracy theorists from earlier in this thread?

Because yikes.

It was speculation, yes. She made some valid points, but just like everything else surrounding this movie it will get blown out of proportion by both sides.

If this even gets a sequel, I wonder if the reception will be the same or if anyone will even care at that point.
 

pompidu

Member
I skip this review for this movie.

He was always mad at the whole concept... I knew his review was going to be totally bias from a fanboy..

As much as I loved the original GB (even the 2nd for nostalgia) this new movie was not bad at all...

Well it's not really Ghostbusters, even from the trailers you can tell it's not Ghostbusters. And that was his main issue with it. It's a new take on it, but really has nothing to do with the original, and that's why he's upset.
 
Well it's not really Ghostbusters, even from the trailers you can tell it's not Ghostbusters. And that was his main issue with it. It's a new take on it, but really has nothing to do with the original, and that's why he's upset.

I hope he hated literally everything that wasn't the original then.

God knows the cartoon wasn't "Ghostbusters" if we define "Ghostbusters" as only the 1984 style.

GB II wasn't even fully the same style as Ghostbusters.
 

pompidu

Member
Well, for one his whole complaint of "suspending disbelief". Dude, you're watching GHOSTBUSTERS and you find it hard to believe things happen or are said that you can't believe?

The shit in Ghostbusters looked like it could be plausible, and most everyone can buy the fact that the ghosts in that movie are what most people envision. This new weird neon ghost, is extremely out of place and fake.
 

Lothar

Banned
Good for them they're also wrong.

No one can say they're wrong because it can't be proven or disproven but it's probably the case that some reviewers don't want to rate it too low. Going by the reactions to Roeper. Going by the reactions to Rolfe. He said he got death threats. A negative video review on Ghostbusters is definitely something you couldn't pay me to make.
 
No one can say they're wrong because it can't be proven or disproven but it's probably the case that some reviewers don't want to rate it too low. Going by the reactions to Roeper. Going by the reactions to Rolfe. He said he got death threats. Going by how apologetic some reviewers seem for not liking it.

Ridiculous.

People actually liked the movie.


People who hate this movie literally need to get over that.
 

Wereroku

Member
So I watched it this weekend and I have to say it's pretty good movie. It had some really good jokes and my wife really enjoyed it. It is much more in line with a movie adaptation of the cartoon then the original movies though. If you don't like silly slapsticky jokes you may not like it as much.
 

Nudull

Banned
No one can say they're wrong because it can't be proven or disproven but it's probably the case that some reviewers don't want to rate it too low. Going by the reactions to Roeper. Going by the reactions to Rolfe. He said he got death threats. Going by how apologetic some reviewers seem for not liking it.

There's a difference between "honesty" and "having a different opinion", however. Blanketing all those opinions as part of some grand master plan to remake every movie ever comes off as petty. That's not to say that both sides haven't done or said some dumb shit, but come on.
 
When you get death threats and piled on for having an opinion, how is it not something to take into account? It's a sensitive subject.

Because it's something that happens with every movie that has a following.

Fans of The Dark Knight Rises sent death threats to negative reviewers, which even got Christopher Nolan's attention. I've never seen anyone claim that those threats influenced the rest of the reviews, though.
 

tchocky

Member
When you get death threats and piled on for having an opinion, how is it not something to take into account? It's a sensitive subject.

Whether you give the movie a positive or a negative review you are going to get hate and death threats from the other side.
 

DeathyBoy

Banned
The shit in Ghostbusters looked like it could be plausible, and most everyone can buy the fact that the ghosts in that movie are what most people envision. This new weird neon ghost, is extremely out of place and fake.

I'm sorry, but what.

The ghosts in both original Ghostbusters films were intentionally meant to look weird and out of sync with what was going on. Because it was paranormal shit infringing on an otherwise plausible world.
 
I think I'm gonna have to see this movie again. Now who can wrangle to see it with me hmm

I posted on fb about how I liked the movie last night and there's already some dudes that are touchy about a crying MRAs comment I made smh one dude tried to claim MRAs was made up by 4chan
 
The Thing (the John Carpenter one) was also a reboot.

Debatable. It is based on the novella Who Goes There as was The Thing from Another World. John Carpenter's The Thing is actually much much closer to the source material than the 50s film. The 70s film Horror Express is also loosely based on this story. I'm not sure adaptations count as reboots. Was The Omega Man a reboot of The Last Man on Earth? Both were based on I Am Legend which was adapted again in the 2007 film with the same title.
 

Lothar

Banned
Because it's something that happens with every movie that has a following.

Fans of The Dark Knight Rises sent death threats to negative reviewers, which even got Christopher Nolan's attention. I've never seen anyone claim that those threats influenced the rest of the reviews, though.

Reading about that now. I haven't heard of it. If it was widespread hatred for negative DKR reviews, I could see it as something that could possibly affect some review scores. It's something worth talking about at least. I wouldn't think someone was crazy for thinking it.
 

Nudull

Banned
Debatable. It is based on the novella Who Goes There as was The Thing from Another World. John Carpenter's The Thing is actually much much closer to the source material than the 50s film. The 70s film Horror Express is also loosely based on this story. I'm not sure adaptations count as reboots. Was Omega Man a reboot of The Last Man on Earth? Both were based on I Am Legend which was adapted again in the 2000s with that as the title.

I suppose it would count as both an adaptation and a remake, in the sense that it's taking its title from The Thing from Another World while also taking more directly from the source material.
 

KillGore

Member
Didnt really like the film that much. The first half was bad IMO. Second half is decent. Ghosts looked cool though, except the cartoony logo, that was terrible.
 

Lothars

Member
If this even gets a sequel, I wonder if the reception will be the same or if anyone will even care at that point.
I think there's almost no chance that this doesn't get a sequel and I have faith it will be way better than this. I go back and forth on this movie and think it has some positives like the cast but I wish it was better.
 
No one can say they're wrong because it can't be proven or disproven but it's probably the case that some reviewers don't want to rate it too low. Going by the reactions to Roeper. Going by the reactions to Rolfe. He said he got death threats. A negative video review on Ghostbusters is definitely something you couldn't pay me to make.

Where did he say that? I'm not the least bit shocked that he did, I'm just curious.
 

Kumquat

Member
I was ready to give the movie a fair shot. I don't care what gender the Ghostbusters are, I just want a good movie.

The first joke is very important for a movie. It sets the tone for what we can expect to see. It is the pickup line, the first kiss, all sorts of things like that.

The movie opened with a queef joke...


My reaction

clint_ew.gif


53239-jerry-seinfeld-Im-out-gif-0qdn.gif


Fart and queef jokes are just so horrible. HORRIBLE.
 

oatmeal

Banned
I was ready to give the movie a fair shot. I don't care what gender the Ghostbusters are, I just want a good movie.

The first joke is very important for a movie. It sets the tone for what we can expect to see. It is the pickup line, the first kiss, all sorts of things like that.

The movie opened with a queef joke...


My reaction

clint_ew.gif


53239-jerry-seinfeld-Im-out-gif-0qdn.gif


Fart and queef jokes are just so horrible. HORRIBLE.

That's not fair, usually when moves open with a fart joke, they score HUGGGGGGGGGGGGE laughs.
 

CassSept

Member
I was ready to give the movie a fair shot. I don't care what gender the Ghostbusters are, I just want a good movie.

The first joke is very important for a movie. It sets the tone for what we can expect to see. It is the pickup line, the first kiss, all sorts of things like that.

The movie opened with a queef joke...


My reaction

clint_ew.gif


53239-jerry-seinfeld-Im-out-gif-0qdn.gif


Fart and queef jokes are just so horrible. HORRIBLE.

Isn't that like 15 minutes into the movie?

Fart jokes are terrible, but that was far from the first joke in the movie.
 

TGO

Hype Train conductor. Works harder than it steams.
I was ready to give the movie a fair shot. I don't care what gender the Ghostbusters are, I just want a good movie.

The first joke is very important for a movie. It sets the tone for what we can expect to see. It is the pickup line, the first kiss, all sorts of things like that.

The movie opened with a queef joke...


My reaction

clint_ew.gif


53239-jerry-seinfeld-Im-out-gif-0qdn.gif


Fart and queef jokes are just so horrible. HORRIBLE.
Pretty much what everyone is saying, one youtuber said it was like watching 2 girls 1 cup.
Starts off ok then the shit comes.
I can understand some people liked it if they like that sort of comedy, but the negative reviews are consistent in why they have that opinion and what was good and bad, even Angry Joe.
positive reviews just say it great or the complete opposite of the complaints, and does Patty really have a "Hell No" belt?
Generally the Cast is fine, but material they're given is terrible.
 
I was ready to give the movie a fair shot. I don't care what gender the Ghostbusters are, I just want a good movie.

The first joke is very important for a movie. It sets the tone for what we can expect to see. It is the pickup line, the first kiss, all sorts of things like that.

The movie opened with a queef joke...


My reaction

clint_ew.gif


53239-jerry-seinfeld-Im-out-gif-0qdn.gif


Fart and queef jokes are just so horrible. HORRIBLE.

I think technically the first joke is about face bidets and anti-Irish fences.

The queef joke was whatever to me. Not especially funny, but not some "Oh, how horrible" moment for me. It was just whatever.

Pretty much what everyone is saying, one youtuber said it was like watching 2 girls 1 cup.
Starts off ok then the shit comes.

Really? I hope none of these people laughed at the South Park episode about queefing or laughed at any fart joke in any comedy over the past several decades.

It's amusing to me that much of guy humor can revolve around dick, fart, and shit, but a queef joke is getting called out as much as it is in this Ghostbusters film.
 

Kumquat

Member
I think technically the first joke is about face bidets and anti-Irish fences.

The queef joke was whatever to me. Not especially funny, but not some "Oh, how horrible" moment for me. It was just whatever.



Really? I hope none of these people laughed at the South Park episode about queefing or laughed at any fart joke in any comedy over the past several decades.

It's amusing to me that much of guy humor can revolve around dick, fart, and shit, but a queef joke is getting called out as much as it is in this Ghostbusters film.

I really dislike any sort of bodily function related humor whether it is girl or guy. Fart jokes disgust me just as much and while I love Monty Python I will never watch the Mr. Creosote episode. Different strokes and all that.
 
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