Cert 12A
116 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate threat, infrequent crude references
A tour of Europe would not be complete without at least one visit to a foreign cinema.
This is easiest in The Netherlands where all of the English-speaking films are shown in their original form with Dutch subtitles.
So, after enjoying a day up and down the Oudegeracht in beautiful Utrecht, we alighted upon Pathe's Rembrandt picture house.
The only reticence was the film being shown was the 2016 version of Ghostbusters of which we had next to no expectation.
And then we laughed and laughed and laughed,
Paul Feig's movie is so much better than we anticipated. Indeed, I might commit sacrilege in some eyes by suggesting I enjoyed it more than the original!
Our relief was that, while there are obvious nods to its predecessor (the theme tune runs through it, the logo, ectoplasm and appearances by the 1980s cast), it is brought right up to date.
Central to its success is the comic acting of Kristen Wiig and, surprisingly, Chris Hemsworth.
The latter is hilarious as the ditsy personal assistant in a movie which is refreshingly focused on girl-power.
This manifests itself in the form of three scientists (Wiig, the seemingly omnipresent Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon).
A late addition to the trio is Leslie Jones who joins up after witnessing an apparition at an underground station.
Frankly, the plot is pencil thin with Neil Casey playing a malevolent type who has the ability to appear as a spectre or take over the bodies of the living.
The world is threatened and The Ghostbusters, despite being discredited by those in academia and authority, are the only ones who can save it.
So, what's new? The gags and their spot-on timing. Particularly, the physical ones. It is just very funny. I counted seven belly laughs but there could have been more and the rest of the cinema reacted in the same way.
People were leaving the auditorium with wide smiles or still chortling loudly.
And after the few weeks the world has had, a summer blockbuster which tickles the funny bone is just fine.
Take your negative pre-conceptions to the cinema with you - they will be Ghost-busted.
Reasons to watch: much much funnier than anticipated
Reasons to avoid: its overblown ending
Laughs: seven
Jumps: none
Vomit: only ectoplasm
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Star tweet
Paul Feig GB's now open here. It's been quite a ride, gang. Supporters, you rock. Haters, I've heard you all. Now let's all just have fun. We need it.
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