Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, 2.5 Stars

Kristen Wiig

Well, it's Ghostbusters.

They do a nice job, keep it moving and it's an okay story.

The four key actors are wide-ranging in likability, talent and what they deliver: Melissa McCarthy (Spy) plays her usual role; I like Kristen Wiig (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) but either her role is badly written or she delivers it poorly (or both); Leslie Jones (with whom I'm not familiar) wasn't notable; but the pleasant surprise for me was Kate McKinnon (again whom I don't know) - she delivers her lines and plays her role with panache and is fun to watch.

I don't think I'd see it again and recommend that you wait til it's a rental.

EDITOR'S NOTE: About an hour after posting this, my daughter asked that the following be added:

***DO NOT wait for rental, since this movie was protested by Men's Rights Activists for the mere fact that the film is led by women.When a movie led by women tanks at the box office, studios see it as a sign that women can't carry a film. When a movie led by men tanks, they just consider it the occasional box office bomb.

It is also worth noting that sociological studies show that while women are fairly consistent in their reviews of films, regardless of the gender, race, or sexuality of the stars; men are more likely to give unfavourable reviews to films in which they do not see themselves properly represented (because God Forbid a film isn't about a straight white dude).

This becomes hugely problematic for the Hollywood ecosystem, as 80% of critics are men, so most people see unfavourable reviews for films led by anyone other than white men: whether it's women, people of colour, differently abled people, or members of the LGBT community. These less favourable reviews undeniably impact the box office.

But let's make another Mission Impossible movie where Tom Cruise runs a lot. Or another Bourne movie where Matt Damon punches people a lot.

My suggestion: if you really can't handle watching women kick ghost ass for a couple of hours, pay for the Ghostbusters ticket anyway and then sneak into the Star Trek theatre. 

The glass ceiling is thick.