Even after 29 years, Bustin’ makes you feel good

Comedy classic on Netflix still delivers laughs, look at life in the 80s

Diego Monreal, Staff Writer|October 31, 2013

Who you gonna call? Seniors Madeline Wagley, Ashley Cronin, Patricia Lawler and Mackenzie Hicks have taken up the task of ridding the school of pesky ghost by dressing up the Ghostbusters for Character Day. Farhar’s Diego Monreal watched the 1984 classic on Netflix and reported that while the special effects were dated, the laughs still hold up.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? That’s right! Ghostbusters! Even after 29 years, people still know that phrase. The movie impacted the world, but does it still meet today’s comedy standards? I decided to check it out on Netflix and find out for myself.

The movie stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as parapsychologists who were teaching at a university until paranormal activities started occuring in a building in Manhattan. Feeling the need to do something about this, they set up an independent organization to catch the ghosts.The main building serves as a gateway to the next world. They go in to do paranormal battle with nuclear-powered backpacks and plenty of one-liners. This classic features a continuous struggle between good and evil, plus a great showdown against the iconic giant marshmallow man!

This film was made in 1984, so can we say the effects were corny? Yes. But it was the 80s and it’s a classic. For people in 1984, those effects would be similar to the dazzling 3D movies we see now. But times change and technology improves. The dialogue is very unique, playing off the funny combination of these intellectual ghost catchers using scientific jargon but then basically having to do the job of exterminators.

The famous line “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” is still known even by young kids. Walk into a store like JCPenney today and you’ll still see some of the movie’s merchandise for sale nearly 30 years later.

Ghostbuster was an instant hit, making $229.2 million. Back in 1984, an average movie ticket cost $3.36, making Ghostbusters one of the most successful moneymakers ever when adjusted for inflation.

If you want to know how life was in the 80s, this movie paints a good picture of how people acted, how they dressed and what they laughed at back when your parents were kids. If you’re looking for a fun Halloween comedy tonight, try streaming this classic. And here are a few other classic spooky films you can find on Netflix.