"Who Ya Gonna Call?"

Ghostbusters, 1984.  Dir: Ivan Reitman

Of all of the movies ever created, I think "Ghostbusters" is the one most quoted by my friends, and with good reason.  Written by half of the paranormal-fighting quartet, the film benefits from the fact that it appears everyone on screen is having a hell of a good time.  And that is reflected to us, the audience.  

Now I didn't see "Ghostbusters" at first.  No, my exposure to the franchise came through the animated spin-off "The Real Ghostbusters."  My house was filled with toys - gadgets, ghosts, and vehicles.  Recently, a friend of mine got an original 1984 Ecto-1 toy and I'm so jealous I could spit.  In 1989 came "Ghostbusters II", an enjoyable, if not all together amazing, sequel.  I begged my parents to take me to see this in the theater, and luckily, they took me.  And although the sequel isn't quite what the first one was, it does contain one of my favorite gags - when the Ghostbusters are out of work, they entertain kids at birthday parties.  While singing and dancing to their theme song, they ask the kids that all important question - "Who ya gonna call?" and the kids scream out "He-Man!"  Kills me every time.  

Luckily, the series has remained in the hearts and minds of lots of folks, so much so that we're finally getting a 3rd entry, but not as a movie, but as a video game.  Can't wait.  On top of that, work has begun on a 3rd official movie, but I'm not so sure I know how to feel about this.  Recapturing the magic is one thing, but another movie this late in the game?  Need we remind Hollywood of a certain fedora-wearing archeologist who recently didn't have a spectacular theatrical outing?  

That being said, "Ghostbusters" is a true classic.  Entertainment Weekly even named it the best comedy of the past 25 years.  It's a pop cultural phenomenon, one that makes be proud to say I ain't 'fraid of no ghost.  

Next time:  Bangarang.