PG-13

Science fiction and comedy fans expect a film’s special effects to pop and humor to snap and sting. The re-boot of the 1984 Ghostbusters with an all-woman team falls flat in banter and chemistry among its four actresses. Sad to say, the film flails, a tease of what it could be, although the women hustle to salvage their parts. Melissa McCarthy (Spy, The Heat) usually carries a show, and especially Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live [SNL], Trainwreck) tries to make magic happen, but the script doesn’t rise to the usual hilarity of writers Katie Dippold and Paul Feig (also the director), who between them contributed to Spy, The Heat, and MADtv.

Ghostbusters fizzles from the beginning. A side story groans along about Kristen Wiig’s (SNL, Bridesmaids) rather dry character, Erin Gilbert, a physicist who gets fired. She reunites with her ghost book co-author, Abby Yates (McCarthy), to form the foursome with wacky engineer, Jillian Holtsmann (Kate McKinnon: SNL, Trainwreck), and savvy subway worker, Patty Tolan (Jones). Chris Hemsworth drops his triple movie Thor persona for an awkward bit as the eye candy receptionist, Kevin.

The actors battle mediocre lines and try as they might—and they do infuse their material with chutzpah—their exchanges limp along like Hemsworth’s mock clumsiness. Abby tries to remain positive as a villain’s ghost-inspired apocalypse descends upon them.

Her cheerleading line: “So many things to live for (meaningful pause)...soup.”

You see, she has been getting take-out soup and the restaurant keeps sending her one meager won ton in a quart of broth. See the irony?

The special effects—the ghosts, the ectoplasm or goo, and the weapons—are intentionally similar to the original Ghostbusters, which only makes their return boring. What was a surprise in the original that a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man turns into a giant killer, returns here when (spoiler alert) the cute ghost in their logo turns into a giant killer. These writers could pay better homage to the first film. Also, Slimer, the green blob who once again gobbles up everything in sight, has a back story about his evil pre-ghost days that didn’t make the final cut. Instead, he steals the ghostmobile and swerves around New York with his blobby friends.

Original cast members and SNL alumni who appear in cameos are just picking up paychecks. Dan Aykroyd, who is executive producer for Ghostbusters, stops by as a grumpy cabbie. Bill Murray looks half-dazed as a ghost debunker donning a jaunty hat. Editors could have sliced Sigourney Weaver’s (the Alien series) appearance, and Annie Potts (TV’s Chicago Med), the first Ghostbusters’ receptionist, plays another desk clerk for a few seconds. Ernie Hudson (TV’s Grace and Frankie), from the first Ghostbusters, has a moment as Patty’s uncle. Andy Garcia (City Island, Godfather Part III) shows up as the mayor and Ed Begley, Jr. (Pineapple Express, TV’s Better Call Saul) puts in time, too.

Although kudos must go to the conscientious four who throw themselves into their characters with apparent good intentions, the script and pace do not match the women’s energy. Hemsworth makes up for his silly role, though, in his punchy dance during the credits. Ghostbusters, although mildly entertaining, is a bit of a bust.