LUCIDMEDIA

Bustin’ Still Makes Me Feel Good: The Ghostbusters’ Legacy

Written by Nadine Bachan Tuesday, 16 June 2009 20:03

From what I’ve heard, Ghostbusters III has been given the green light. Film buffs have been abuzz about the latest news that Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and (surprisingly) Bill Murray have all agreed to suit up once more as Drs. Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, and Peter Venkman, respectively. Aykroyd himself has confirmed that Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore), Sigourney Weaver (Dana Barrett), and Rick Moranis (Louis Tully) will also be returning to their roles.

Storyline gossip for the upcoming film has been rampant, including a plot where the team cross the threshold of hell into an alternate-reality Manhattan. Speculation that the new film may focus on the old characters (now all well into their 50s and 60s) showing new cadets the ropes might mean sought-out supporting roles for some of the young bloods out there still climbing the superstardom ladder. Everything is still hearsay (with a tentative release date of 2012, and contrasting reports on the status of the film, anything can change). The only “confirmation” to trust at this point is that writers are currently developing a script and the official website is currently holding a video audition contest called “Now Hiring.”

Moviegoers are excited, but also very worried about this rumoured film. Today, fans of the franchise have come to enjoy and love the films, but at the time of its release, Ghostbusters II was panned by critics. Many felt that the story was tired, overtly comical but not necessary funny, too reliant on special effects, and smacked of trying to leech off the success of the first film and cartoon series. Despite only five years between the films, it was believed that the characters and the continuing story had lost considerable momentum.

Considering the backlash the 1989 film has endured, it’s not hard to predict the kind of response and harsh scrutiny the third instalment will surely receive, especially after the large gap of 20 years. To illustrate the power the franchise, here’s a look at what has made Ghostbusters both unforgettable and worthy of its current legion of fans … for now.

The films have their share of impressive characters. The main players, the brave and brainy Ghostbusters team, are all adored, each one made distinct and quirky by talented comedic actors. Movie patrons were also introduced to an assortment of ghouls and a few other memorable creatures like the androgynous god Gozer, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (Gozer’s vessel of doom), the cruel and grotesque Vigo the Carpathian, and his lackey, the comically possessed art curator Dr. Janosz Poha. No one will forget the greatest creation of all — the movin’, groovin’ Statue of Liberty who saves the day and inspires joy in even the most cynical New Yorker’s heart.

But even amidst all the ghouls, there’s nothing quite like a human villain. Everyone remembers the uptight EPA agent, Walter Peck, who tried to shutdown the Ghostbusters before being thrown out of the Mayor’s office for not being “part of the solution.” Rumour has it that actor William Atherton (who portrayed Peck) could not walk down the streets for years without having Bill Murray’s infamous line about how Peck lacked as certain appendage being shouted at him by passers-by. But aside from that, the films also gave us one of the most-uttered catchphrases ever … “Who you gonna call?”

The original movie was so popular among the youngsters that a cartoon series, The Real Ghostbusters!, was quickly developed and aired from 1986 to 1991. The near-150 episodes revolved around the paranormal misadventures of the team on the job and at the firehouse with Janine and Slimer, their new “pet” who appeared briefly in the first film and again in the second film after his popularity skyrocketed.

And because the 80s were truly the age of the action figure, in customary blockbuster-style, several characters, both heroes and villains, got their own miniature likeness. Even the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1 car had its own series of models for fans to covet. Everyone I knew had a shirt, or a lunch box, or a pencil case, or pyjamas, or some other type of memento with the image of a surprised ghost jailed behind the red prohibit sign emblazoned on it. The Ghostbusters logo became a pop culture icon, a symbol of the movie and of the generation — one that many people still proudly sport on their distressed t-shirts.

The soundtrack was also exemplary 80s gold. Complete with great electronic sounds and synthesizers, the music was so likeable and thematically superb. I recall an embarrassing childhood memory of myself, at five years old, enthusiastically dancing and singing along to the famous movie theme song (which was slightly altered for the cartoon series). Ray Parker Jr. wrote one hell of a catchy tune. I’m sure grown men and women out there today would gladly proclaim “I aint ‘fraid a no ghost”.

There is so much about the Ghostbusters films and franchise as a whole that makes it such an important and treasured part of film history and pop culture. Naturally, those involved in developing the third movie are under immense pressure. A bad film could do irreparable damage to the integrity of the franchise and all those involved — heads would surely roll. For the filmmakers’ sakes, and for sake of our beloved Ghostbusters, let’s hope we won’t be disappointed.