What can be said about an iconic film that has not been said before, Ghostbusters is one of the greatest comedies ever made. There is much more to a film like this. A film that has crossed generations and has left a lasting impact over the past 32 years. When first deciding to review this film on the day the 2016 version is released, it was not to bring hate towards an already poorly marketed film, but as a subtle reminder about the cultural dent the original has made on American film society.

Is Ghostbusters on the level of Citizen Kane, The Godfather, or Gone with the Wind? No, it’s not, but it is a film that has so much heart that it’s easy to have a love for it. It avoids being pretentious and speaks to its entire audience, with jokes that don’t go over people’s heads in an overly knowing manner.

The premise of Ghostbusters is well known. 3 parapsychologists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis) are fired from Columbia University. They set up shop as paranormal exterminators (calling themselves Ghostbusters) in an old firehouse and make a commercial to get their name out there. They eventually get hired to investigate a haunted apartment complex on 5th avenue in New York City, leading to a breakout of paranormal activity all around the city.

While business is slow at first, they are hired by a woman named Dana (Sigourney Weaver) whose refrigerator contains an other-dimensional demon, Zuul. Following their first interaction, The Ghostbusters gather fame after receiving a job at a hotel, which is haunted by the now popular Slimer. What occurs after is an increase in paranormal activity in the area and what follows is the rise in fame of the trio, leading to hiring a fourth ghostbuster (Ernie Hudson). Eventually, Zuul possesses Dana, all while Dana’s neighbor Luis (Rick Moranis) has been possessed by another demon, Vinz Clortho.

A final confrontation ensues over New York City when the ancient powerful entity, Gozer, occurs ready to destroy the world. Gozer assigns a destructor, using the Ghostbusters’ imagination against them. Trying to clear their minds, they fail when Ray (Aykroyd) thinks of marshmallows. Yes, marshmallows. The destructor comes in the form of Stay Puft, a 100-foot marshmallow man. This final act in the film provides the best, yet ridiculous showdown between the two helping cement them as the classic characters we love today. There is nothing that would say this would work, but Ghostbusters made it work. The ridiculousness of it not only leads to laugh every time I watch this scene, but impressed with the fact that chances were taken, regardless of the response they would receive, and now there is no Ghostbusters, without StayPuft.

While Ghostbusters is a comedy first, it adds elements of horror, enough to call it a hybrid; however, it would be wrong to try to limit it to one genre. The performances in this film, lead by Bill Murray, are fantastic. Murray shows his comedic genius throughout and is truly the breakout star of this film. Despite Murray breaking out, the chemistry between the three stars is where the heart lies in this film.

There is true friendship in this trio and a wonderful back and forth dialogue that makes it very difficult not to root for these guys. I have watched this film over 50 times throughout my life, and every time I watch it, there is still a smile that is impossible to remove from my face while watching these three men master their craft on screen.

The practical effects used, although dated, compared to the CGI era we live in, still, look fantastic. I have seen three trailers to the upcoming reboot of the franchise, and I would take the effects from this film over those in a heartbeat. There is something with practical effects, that really brings more realism to films as to an overabundance of CGI.

What review of Ghostbusters can be complete without mentioning the now highly recognizable song by Ray Parker Jr. Those that may not have seen the film, still know the song, showing the immense crossover appeal this film had. This film is a part of my childhood, a film I can watch consistently and never get tired of it. While Ghostbusters II failed to have the same effect on me, it will take nothing away from the greatness of this film and is one of my personal top 10 films of all time. Ghostbusters is the definition of a classic.

Reel Talk gives Ghostbusters 4 reels