Ghostbusters (1984) 30th Anniversary Re-issue, PG, ★★★1/2

Who are you going to call? Ghostbusters.

Let's not beat around the bush, many people know the "Ghostbusters" song or the riff or rhythm of the song. Even though it's kind of outdated in the prime '80s, the song and the movie are still a fun classic. However, we have been a long way since the prime movies of supernatural occurrences and ghost stories. Some were dramatic and some were comedic, such as, this movie. To be fair and honest, I have seen this movie for the first time ever and must I say, it was a very fun time getting to know the characters and seeing the joy of filmmaking an original concept.

You know the story. Three professors, Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Epon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are called to investigate a ghost encounter at a library where it turns out to be a ghost of a dead librarian. The ghost turns into a horrible monster.

After they lose their jobs at Columbia University, the three misfit people form a paranormal investigations service called "Ghostbusters" taking place at a disused firehouse. They capture ghosts and thanks to the word-of-mouth and media outlets, they are heroes. But they are overworked, so, they hire a fourth person called Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson).

One of the first clients is Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), whose apartment is haunted by a satanic spirit in a refrigerator, Zuul, a demigod. Venkman competes with Barrett's neighbor, Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), to earn her affection. The matter gets worse as Dana is possessed by Zuul and the demonic ghosts escape, wreaking havoc throughout the whole city making it almost impossible for the Ghostbusters to suck in and put away for good.

It is a plausible film that is full of corny special effects at its time, but never mind the corniness, it is the characters and the story that makes it memorable. The chemistry between the three, but soon, four co-workers is natural and never boring and the dialogue sometimes ranges from a little chuckle to laugh-out-loud. It seems that after their fame or even before the fame, the cast really enjoyed making this special film back then. No wonder this film is so full of joy and excitement that it is beloved by many people internationally. Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, Hudson, Weaver and especially Moranis create vibrant and likable characters that are plugged in into the situations and belong to the genre.

Director Ivan Reitman of Kindergarten Cop and Twins fame with Arnold Schwarzengger has made full blended with fun and dead-pan humor that you do not seem to care whether the special effects are nothing special. That is basically a minor criticism, but I don't care. The chemistry between the cast members and the script makes the film work and whether or not you have seen the film, you would recline and enjoy what's going on-screen and laugh your socks off. It deserves to be looked at again in theaters if you want to know what it feels like when audiences first saw it in 1984. Your money is worth it.

***1/2