The Ghostbusters are a few of Hollywood’s most iconic heroes. They’re symbols of blue-collar working stiffs—getting their fingers soiled and making a distinction. They’re additionally sleazy, tacky, greasy and… simple?
However what fascinates me essentially the most is that from 1984 to the current day, these characters haven’t actually developed… in any respect.
What began as 4 common dudes with beer guts, coffee-stained tooth, and dandruff stays principally the identical—even into their 70s. I imply, Venkman continues to be a sarcastic lady-killer, Egon is chilly and calculated, Ray is naive and excitable, and Winston is… simply there for the cash.
And for each square-jawed, barrel-chested Boy Scout in films at the moment, there are 100 of us common dudes who can have a look at the Ghostbusters and see one thing that sticks. All of that to say: the Ghostbusters are… type of assholes.
As JoBlo’s resident Ghostbusters fanboy, I’ve no disgrace in admitting that the unique movie stays one in all my all-time favourite films. Over time, it’s earned reward for its witty dialogue, seedy depiction of Eighties NYC, and a solid of characters which might be individually as iconic because the group. What Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd achieved on a famously rushed manufacturing turned a staple in households in all places and (inevitably) spawned a franchise: 5 films, an superior tie-in online game (which might virtually depend as a film), two cartoons, comedian books, and plans for much more movies in the primary continuity.
If you’d like a full evaluate of each single Ghostbusters property, you’ll be able to take a look at my franchise video from a few years in the past.
So, say what you’ll concerning the state of the model at the moment. Whereas I can admit Sony appears a little bit heavy-handed in making these into forgettable, bloated summer season blockbusters—I even have good issues to say about each Ghostbusters film (sure, even that one). I didn’t say I had so much of excellent issues to say… however that’s not what this video is about.
As an alternative, I need to discuss how the characters themselves have been caught in an anti-growth chamber—perpetually the identical, film to film, with little to no actual evolution. I’ll break down the tropes they fall into and what their “arcs” (if you happen to can name them that) appear to be. As a result of regardless that these films are supposedly concerning the characters, they appear intent on sustaining the established order—and weirdly, it really works. However why?
As a result of finally, each hero turns into unreliable. They’ve saved the planet too many occasions to care about spilling espresso within the automobile. They’ve died and are available again too many occasions to worth a single lifespan. However these guys? They’re identical to us. Flesh, blood, and naked fingers.
Venkman: The Sleazy Casanova
Invoice Murray’s Peter Venkman is an iconic, impressed comedic efficiency. As a child, he was most likely my favourite Ghostbuster. He’s flirty, crass, sarcastic, and narcissistic—but undeniably charming. The phrase that involves thoughts (and I say this with love) is: sleazy.
Within the first movie, Venkman is generally motivated by girls—whether or not it’s his scholar volunteers or Dana needing assist, he’s at all times the primary to help if there’s a “chick on the line.” He walks the road between charming and gross in a approach that Ryan Reynolds used to, earlier than leaning too far into attraction. Venkman will get into ghostbusting not out of ardour, however as a result of he has no higher choices. He places himself and his objectives first—however he additionally delivers a lot of the funniest strains.
By the top, he’s in love with Dana, which might have been a turning level—however it simply makes him a flirty non-bachelor.
Egon: Chilly as Ice
Harold Ramis performs Egon Spengler like a person born and not using a character—and that’s the purpose. Egon is chilly, impassive, and hyper-logical. He’s the mental chief of the group, motivated solely by science and the pursuit of data. He doesn’t care about being a hero; he simply needs to know the paranormal.
This offers us some nice dry comedy from his social awkwardness and lack of small speak. There’s not a lot progress—except for some cute moments with the fantastic Annie Potts (as Janine). Even when saving the world, it feels extra like a lab experiment than an act of braveness. Chilly. Calculated. Sort of superior.
He’s the one I’d most likely look as much as essentially the most.
Ray: Naive and Childlike
Now most likely my favourite Ghostbuster, Ray is the guts and soul of the group. He believes in what they’re doing and actually funds the startup together with his life financial savings. He’s the one who insists on the firehouse HQ as a result of it has a pole. He designs the long-lasting Ecto-1. He’s the rationale Ghostbusters really feel like working-class superheroes.
Ray is the man who stays late simply to hang around. His pleasure, optimism, and perception within the group convey a much-needed layer of tenderness to this bunch of misfits.
Winston: He Simply Needs the Cash
Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore joins midway by way of the primary movie and rapidly turns into a part of the crew. However in contrast to the others, he’s not in it for the science—he simply wants a job. He has no motive to consider in ghosts at first. He’s the viewers surrogate: somebody regular observing the chaos.
However even after witnessing a literal interdimensional apocalypse, Winston stays principally unfazed. He’s nonetheless simply right here for the paycheck. And truthfully? Truthful sufficient.
For a bunch of men of their 30s, these tropes labored. However you’d assume they’d develop over time—like people do. As an alternative, movie after movie brings virtually no character improvement.
Ghostbusters II (say what you’ll—I prefer it) doesn’t push the characters ahead in any respect. Venkman continues to be a lovable jerk, Egon continues to be chilly and nerdy, Ray continues to be Ray, and Winston’s simply completely satisfied to be getting paid. And that lack of progress could clarify the movie’s combined reception. As Roger Ebert mentioned: “Murray still gets away with his dry, Groucho-revisited wisecracks. But the first movie was funnier, faster, and well, fresher.”
Even the cartoon The Actual Ghostbusters retains the characters static—they’re like impersonations of themselves. Nonetheless enjoyable, however no progress.
However that was only a few years later. Absolutely they’d change over 30+ years, proper?
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
They’re again—Murray, Hudson, Aykroyd, and sure, Ramis (through a stand-in and a few spectacular CGI). And whereas Afterlifeis a strong film in my view, let’s speak character evolution.
Venkman? Nonetheless a flirty perv—although now he’s married to Dana. So he’s gone from sleazy scumbag to married sleazy scumbag.
Ray? Barely extra jaded, however give him 5 minutes and he’s the identical previous Ray.
Winston? He’s wealthy now and funds the brand new Ghostbusters—however he’s nonetheless simply in it for the cash.
Egon? He’s the one one with actual progress—type of. He turns into an estranged loner obsessive about stopping Gozer, dies alone, however redeems himself by serving to his granddaughter Phoebe. That’s… one thing. However most of what he does within the film is simply nods to basic Egon till the very finish.
So, to recap:
- Venkman goes from sleazy to sleazy and married.
- Ray goes from desperate to keen with a light emo part.
- Winston goes from broke man chasing a paycheck to wealthy man chasing a paycheck.
- Egon goes from chilly loner to ghost grandpa with a coronary heart.
That’s a stage of character improvement that often occurs in one film—unfold throughout 4 many years. And but… I nonetheless adore it. As a result of I nonetheless relate to it.
