The team arrived, observed, and briefly dominated the 1980s. A group of unconventional paranormal investigators started a business as Ghostbusters. This proved to be a good idea because, despite a slow beginning, their enterprise thrived as New York City faced a supernatural threat. Dan Aykroyd initially envisioned space-themed Ghostbusters with himself and John Belushi, another Blues Brother, in the lead roles. Presenting this concept to producer and director Ivan Reitman resulted in the core idea being preserved, but it ultimately evolved into the film we know today. Co-written with Harold Ramis (who also starred), Aykroyd’s original thought transformed not only into a significant box office success but also into a cultural phenomenon. It's genuinely enjoyable to revisit the movie now without the intense public excitement that surrounded it for what felt like years. Ghostbusters logo T-shirts were ubiquitous, calling the listed phone number resulted in a message from the team, and Ray Parker Jr.’s theme song played frequently on the radio. Even the phrase "who you gonna call?" was adopted by people of all ages. Was this brilliant marketing or a calculated attempt to mask a film that wasn't very good? Ultimately, the movie is quite excellent; it certainly has flaws (the special effects were dated then and are even more so now, and Ernie Hudson feels like an afterthought), but its humor is sharp and appeals to audiences of all ages. It follows a simple story of misfits saving the day, but the distinct characterizations and comedy elevate it above similar films. A larger budget and Bill Murray’s involvement also helped considerably. Murray joined after Belushi's death and essentially carries the film. His Dr. Venkman is a blend of sarcasm, witty remarks, and using science to attract women—a contrast to Aykroyd’s Stanz and Ramis’ Spengler. Sigourney Weaver shines as Dana Barrett, who is soon possessed and pursued by Venkman, while Rick Moranis delivers a wonderfully awkward portrayal of Louis Tully. The script also offers some insightful commentary on politics, with the mayor aware of his power, and explores human flaws and cynicism through William Atherton’s appropriately sleazy Walter Peck. Given its success—generating nearly $262 million in worldwide profit—a sequel was unavoidable. While pleasant enough, it lacked the originality of the first film and even reused the ending. So, it's best to stick with this one; it’s an entertaining movie for everyone that recalls a time when the world went crazy for Ghostbusters. 8/10

Source on TMDB