When it was released June 8, 1984, the original "Ghostbusters" was a huge critical and commercial success, grossing $238 million in the United States and more than $291 million worldwide.
The story follows a quartet of goofy Manhattan-based "paranormal investigators" who fund their "ghostbusting operation" under a small grant from the government. When the grant runs out, the trio of iconic comedy actors Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis go into business in an old firehouse as a ragtag team known as "The Ghostbusters." Later, the team hires Ernie Hudson and together, the four of them respond to a laundry list of paranormal activity in the greater NYC area.
The comedy hits all the right notes for a movie of its era, blending action, humor and a blossoming love story that includes a young Sigourney Weaver as Bill Murray's love interest. Oh yeah, there is also a giant marshmallow man that brings to mind Japanese monster flicks who goes by the name Stay-Puft.
In celebration of the movie's 30th anniversary this year, the franchise has been pulled out and dusted off with a remastered re-release in theaters starting today, Aug. 29. Considering how many people have been born between 1984 and 2014, this is a great opportunity for younger generations to experience the classic Stay-Puft marshmallow man scene -- along with countless others -- as it was intended to be scene: lounging back in a comfy theater seat with a giant bucket of popcorn and a theater-sized box of Junior Mints.
"'Ghostbusters' is one of those rare movies where the original, fragile comic vision has survived a multimillion-dollar production," said iconic movie reviewer Roger Ebert in his original 1984 movie review.
"It is not a complete vindication for big-budget comedies, since it's still true, as a general rule, that the more you spend, the fewer laughs you get. But it uses its money wisely, and when that, ahem, monster marches down a Manhattan avenue and climbs the side of a skyscraper ... we're glad they spent the money for the special effects because it gets one of the biggest laughs in a long time."
The franchise will also be releasing a special edition remastered Blu-ray set on Sept. 16 in case you want to bring the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man home with you.
