- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
-
4 out of 5
The often dazzling, special effects-driven slapstick tends to overshadow the fact that there are some slyer, more sophisticated laughs on offer in this blockbusting family comedy. Bill Murray is terrifically deadpan and sleazy as the dubious leader of a company of ghost busters (that includes the film's co-writers, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, plus Ernie Hudson) who are called into action when ancient spirits are let loose in New York. Sigourney Weaver shows an admirably light touch as a possessed cellist, and Rick Moranis also scores in his breakthrough movie. Director Ivan Reitman stages some spectacular set pieces, including an enjoyably daft finale with a giant marshmallow man. The concept was so successful that the film spawned a cartoon series, and almost the entire team reunited for a sequel.
Plot Summary
Supernatural comedy starring Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver and Dan Aykroyd. Three university professors researching parapsychology set up in business for themselves when their grant is withdrawn, and soon realise there's a burgeoning market for "ghost busters" in New York City.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Dr Peter Venkman
- Bill Murray
- Dr Raymond Stantz
- Dan Aykroyd
- Dana Barrett
- Sigourney Weaver
- Dr Egon Spengler
- Harold Ramis
- Louis Tully
- Rick Moranis
- Janine Melnitz
- Annie Potts
- Winston Zeddemore
- Ernie Hudson
- Walter Peck
- William Atherton
- Mayor
- David Margulies
- Dean Yeager
- Jordan Charney
- Hotel manager
- Michael Ensign
- Gozer
- Slavitza Jovan
- Librarian
- Alice Drummond
- Library ghost
- Ruth Oliver
- Mrs Van Hoffman
- Kathryn Janssen
- Annette
- Cheryl Birchfield
Crew
- Director
- Ivan Reitman
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