A Look Back: Ghostbusters (1984)

The new Ghostbusters hits theaters this weekend - starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones - and I thought an appropriate way to celebrate would be a look back at the original, classic Ghostbusters. Featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Ramis, the 1984 Ghostbusters had the basic premise of paranormal activity in the modern world without unnecessarily turning the film into something horrific. Instead, it was a comedy, and it's become a classic science fiction romp.

The film, as you can see from the featurette above, exemplifies 80s special effects technology, with flashing lights, fog machines, and old school cameras. Born from Aykroyd's interest in the paranormal, Ghostbusters began as a way for Dan and fellow comedian John Beloshi to move forward from Saturday Night Live; it changed significantly from the original intentions to the film we know and love now, especially in casting and setting.

The 2016 cast resembles the 1984 cast in character and form, including a secretary of the opposite gender. A major point of controversy has been the female-driven 2016 cast, supposedly ruining childhoods, but ultimately the film (in both decades) is a vehicle for talented comedians, regardless of gender. Not to mention, I love the idea of Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as a secretary. Ghostbusters is about comedians fighting slightly ridiculous paranormal activity, and both casts do just that.

Check out the trailer above, and then maybe check out one of the trailers for the new Ghostbusters busting (haha) into theaters this weekend!

Do you love Ghostbusters (1984)? Are you going to see Ghostbusters (2016)? Comment below!