Ghostbusters: A Movie About Nothing

I dug the hell out of this essay, man. As soon as you posed the question the only thing that occurred to me was the science solving the supernatural angle, which you point out doesn't actually function as a theme. That has always been something I love about this movie though. In my real life I don't at all believe in anything supernatural but as a genre fan I love to entertain the idea of a kick ass world that is inhabited by the supernatural. I love the fact that Ray and Egon have this earnest yet childlike passion for both the science and the supernatural, both of which are able to capture their imaginations. I think a big part of what makes the flick work so well is the confidence the artists involved have that they know exactly what they need to do to entertain us and are executing that task through a vessel they believe in and know is truly unlike anything else we're likely to see. It's early in the morning so I'm not sure I said anything here that you didn't say already. I'll just add this little side note before I go. I can't argue against any of the flaws people tend to point out about Ghostbusters 2 since most of them seem to me to be objectively true. That being said I really have a good time every time I watch that flick. There's a subtle kind of brilliance about Egon in that one that really gets me laughing every time. But, despite the entertainment value I personally get out it, there is no doubt that it's not the airtight, perfect picture that Ghostbusters is.

It's a "buddies starting a small business" story. Publicly defeating gozer was like the resolution of landing the big client, or the judge declaring that they can keep their bakery. It means the threat to the business (government shutdown because psh ghosts aren't real -- oh and the world ending) has been averted (ghosts proven to be real and now the busters are famous -- and the world still exists) so the business is saved!

Aaron

Great video, and I want to give extra kudos on the quick definition at the start. It's a small thing but it makes the essay much more accessable for people uneducated in the subject (like me).

Jens Nielsen

great video

Robojim