Among movie fans, the original sci-fi comedy Ghostbusters holds a special place in cinema history. It was one of the few times that the two genres blended together so effortlessly into a creation of inspired originality and is arguably among the cast's most recognizable work. The fact that "Who you gonna call?" is a question that prods the movie's name is evidence of the film's impact. It makes sense then that it would get the reboot treatment that falls somewhere between Jurassic World self-reflection and 21 Jump Street self-ridicule. The first trailer has made its way online and, it's about what you'd expect from a studio wishing to recharge a bankable franchise.
There is a lot to unpack about the Ghostbusters movie. First, it is technically not a reboot if going based on the trailer's language. Second, many have argued over the choice to cast an all-female team, almost personality-for-personality clones of their male counterpoint. Considering that director Paul Feig has done excellent work over the years to give women in comedy compelling and fun roles in films like Bridesmaids, The Heat, and Spy; there's already an assurance that he is the right man for a job like this. However, the better question is why does this need to be a thing?
I am not saying that a Ghostbusters movie isn't worth investing. I'm more wondering why there's any sense of empowerment by casting all women in a property known for having male protagonists. What exactly is proven by showing that Kate McKinnon or Kristen Wiig are just as funny as Dan Aykroyd or Bill Murray (which is already true)? There will inevitably be comparisons and the choice to consider this casting stunt is similar to past decisions to make black versions of comedy hits. I'm referencing films like The Honeymooners or Who's Your Caddy?, the latter of which lampooned Caddyshack. I'm not saying that these films can't be good, but the fact is that there's going to be inevitable comparison points mired in the fact that it's not original (which can already be seen as a minus). We're going to unfairly suggest that "Well, women aren't as funny." if Ghostbusters of 2016 fails to meet expectations. Why not, as Feig seemed to have been doing before this, just give women great original work that doesn't have to involve fitting into a male part? It seems backwards, as I'm sure that the choice to cast white men in formerly female properties is going to be more laughed upon.
Check out the trailer below:
For what it's worth, the trailer looks pretty good and funny. However, it also has traces of Jurassic World in it. To summarize, I will simply say that it features a self-awareness. In the trailer for the second highest grossing movie of last year, the film featured a piano riff of the iconic theme and focused heavily on the adoration that society had for Jurassic Park as a film. In Ghostbusters, there's already a sense that this film exists within a world where the original is adored. There's spray painted walls with the iconic logo and the theme song is played similarly on piano. Thematically, this is the same trailer as Jurassic World.
I will get the obvious out of the way. I actually think that it looks fine. The cast definitely has the riffing abilities to make for an enjoyable film. It is likely that there's an unfortunate audience who know Melissa McCarthy more than Bill Murray, but there's still a sense that the film is striving for its own goals. There's plenty of great visual effects (mind you, the original wasn't that good in this department). There's a sense of purpose in this universe, and I think that it's enough to sell a film, as it feels more like a continuation than simply replacing the testosterone tubes with estrogen. Nobody said that there only had to be four Ghostbusters. If anything, I am fine with them expanding the universe like this.
Of course, I am not as adamant about Ghostbusters culture as everyone else. To me, it was a great first film, but everything after has been dull and uninteresting. I'm not likely to rewatch the second film in preparation for this one. So if I lack any enthusiasm, it is more because of the franchise before it than the novelty of having women play men's roles. I still think that we as a society need to move beyond the false sense of equality that the way to solve it is by rebooting male properties with women. What, can women not have their own franchises that are just as respectable? I'm looking forward to that day. Until then, I'm just fine admitting that I didn't hate this trailer.
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