There’s only one explanation that comes to mind regarding the influx of Ghostbusters teases director Paul Feig has been sharing throughout production of this reboot. And the simple answer that makes sense to me is that Feig is trying to set the bar so low that we’ll ultimately enjoy it. How else could you explain the uninteresting proton packs, Ecto-1 car, and Ghostbusters uniforms?
And like the first look at Heath Ledger’s Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, as easily as it is for us to judge something at first glance, the end result could be spectacular. The new Ghostbusters uniforms are pretty ugly with those orange stripes; the proton packs are very simplistic and not as fun or intricate as the originals; and the new Ecto-1 is boxy and lifeless. Are these teases helping to set prepare audiences so the transition into this reboot isn’t as jarring on the big screen? Maybe seeing the new Ghostbusters in action could be awesome?
I do like the look of the group together in uniform. Putting Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones next to each other, in those poses, there’s a certain attitude about them that I find appealing.
Director Paul Feig has even been trying to justify the reboot changes with detailed specs of the new proton packs too. It’s a cool tidbit, that proves that every working part matters. But why is he showing us this now? What difference will this make ultimately in the enjoyment of the movie? It seems as if he’s too busy trying to set this reboot right with fans to minimize backlash. I believe in Feig as a filmmaker because I thought Spy looked terrible and it turned out to be pretty entertaining. And I really enjoyed Bridesmaids. I can understand that he might be excited about this project and wants to share these teases, but I’d rather him put his energy in developing a great movie, not a great marketing campaign.
Most recently, Feig disclosed the names of the Ghostbusters, which are Abby Yates, Erin Gilbert, Jillian Holtzmann, and Patty Tolan. This information carries absolutely no weight or any value until we hear them spoken in relation to context to the script. Ghostbusters fans have been trying to tie them with the original cast being Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spenger (Harold Ramis) and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). But nothing has clicked. Sadly, these bits and pieces of production has outraged some fans enough to warrant death threats toward Feig:
Not cool.
However this film turns out, it will not diminish my love for the original films. They’re such classics in my book. If somewhere down the line someone decided to remake Back to the Future, I may gripe about it, but it wouldn’t affect my love for the original trilogy.
Ghostbusters also stars Andy Garcia, Chris Hemsworth, Michael K. Williams, Neil Casey, and Matt Walsh. The film is set to arrive in theaters on July 22nd, 2016.