Up until the release of “Ghostbusters” in 1984, nobody was entirely sure who to call when there was something strange in their neighbourhood. By the end of that year, there wasn't a kid around who didn't fancy strapping on a proton pack and zapping a ghost or three.
Punted from a New York university grant programme for their less-than-orthodox approach to research, three scientists decide to go into business for themselves as exterminators. Only it's not cockroaches they plan to wipe out it's spooks. A derelict firestation, jazzed up ambulance, and some unlicensed nuclear accelerators later and our boys are in business. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are the Ghostbusters.
Before long business is booming, but there's some serious nastiness brewing in the Big Apple. Local musician Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) an instant love interest for wiseguy Venkman notices some ever-so-slightly gruesome creatures hiding in her fridge behind the hamburgers and, quite literally, all Hell breaks loose.
It's played for laughs and the comedy background of the main players (Aykroyd and Ramis also did the writing) shines through more often than not. Murray is superb as the super-sarcastic Venkman, whilst Rick Moranis is also on top form as Dana's geeky neighbour who turns into a growling nutball when possessed by an evil demon.
“Ghostbusters” seems even better now when viewed without the surrounding hype of the original release (it was absolutely massive, grossing over $220 million in North America alone). The comedy is timeless, the concept fabulously original, and the acting first rate. Even the special effects have by and large stood the test of time, most notably with green ghosty Slimer and the now legendary Stay Puft marshmallow man.