Ghostbusters 2016 - A Horror of Horrors

I had avoided Ghostbusters 2016 for 7 years, in part out of love for the original two films, and also because I wasn't interested in a remake with such a bad reputation. But then I realized... who needs a legendary comedic team or quality humor when you can have women? Join me as I react to what I am sure is a modern comedy classic. Oh, and Happy #Halloween to all!
#ghostbusters #2016 #comedy #movies #review #reviews #reaction
*NOTE*
I feel compelled to mention this since I do not think I illustrated this clearly in the video, but I am aware that a large portion of the film's dialogue is improvised. So, in sections where I am speaking of the poor quality of the writing, I am also referring to storytelling and characterization (and it wouldn't have hurt if some good writing had contributed to the jokes). It is likely some lines I put under this umbrella were, in fact, improvised, but I am uncertain as to the specifics for most.
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[@ericnierstedt6242]

One other interesting tidbit about the writing. From the research I’ve seen about this movie, I think even Paul Feig knew the script was bad. Reports say that he was practically forcing the actresses to improv over and over again with the scenes, because he was desperate to make the writing funny. Instead, he apparently burned them out completely and things got so bad most of them had to sign nondisclosure agreements, until after the film is over.

[@rbl205]

I've heard about that too. I've also heard that Kristen Wiig hated the script and knew the film was going to bomb. Apparently she would routinely get in arguments with Feig on set, and at the end of filming each day she would lock herself up in her trailer, call her friends and family members, and lament accepting this role, because she was afraid this movie would ruin her career. But from what I understand, those were all just rumors, and none of them have been proven true... so far.

[@BD-iu1wh]

As a 90’s kid who grew up on these supposed “classic” movies I must say that while the writing, story, acting, sfx, fun, and entertainment were all present and done excellently, there were far too few dance numbers. I’m so glad that by simply dumbing down certain characters, stories, ideas, lore, and everything else that makes these timeless movies classic they were able to give us what we wanted: dancing

[@TheGourdKing]

🤣

[@normalgraham]

Ghostbusters 2 had them controlling the Statue of Liberty with an NES joystick

[@booshmcfadden7638]

This certainly was a movie. Well, almost.

[@TheGourdKing]

73% of one.

[@fermentedcinema4892]

Ghostbusters 2016 was a waterboarding... I mean, watershed event!

[@TheGourdKing]

It set my Proton Pack to Stun and Brave.

[@Drixenol86]

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie was like waterboarding, Ghostbusters 2016 is more like fingernail extraction.

[@ZERO_O7X]

I heard that reboot was originally titled "Scooby-Doo meets the Ghostbusters" but they removed all the Scooby-Doo content. They basically beat every joke to death in that movie and then had Melissa Mccarthy ride a proton beam in an alley like it was a bad cartoon. I really wanted to like it but now I wish I had never seen it.

[@derrickdavis664]

Scooby-Doo is more entertaining than this sacrilege that people call Ghostbusters 2016.

[@gregorymcavoy758]

While comedy is subjective and this movie really uses the slap stick routine, it is still poorly done. The fact is the comedy is completely different from the original. At least with that movie, you can sort of believe they could be real people whereas 2016 version is just cartoon people. Every single one of them. I'd imagine also with each joke, site gag or whatever that there should have been sitcom canned laughter. This is of course ignoring all of the other issues with the movie and issues outside the movie.

[@CannoliSasquatch]

This was an excellent breakdown of how not to make a comedy question did your eyes bleed at all while watching this movie?

[@TheGourdKing]

It’s like the Ark of the Covenant in effect but without any of the holiness.

[@CannoliSasquatch]

Shall I call you clay face from now on?

[@TheGourdKing]

@@CannoliSasquatch I am a man of many nicknames.

[@Ironcabbit]

Quite the opposite. I got bored. 😒

[@Melvin-Deeply]

I ain't afraid of no Gourd

[@TheGourdKing]

Gourds are friends, not food.

[@TelepathicBunnyComics]

I put myself through both the theatrical version and the extended cut...both gave me PTSD. I did so because I saw the backlash as a patient zero to the oddest marketing trend I had ever seen. Shame marketing. Ghostbusters: Afterlife revealed this movie for the soulless virtue signal it actually was so of course the critics and 2016 GB for the plot it was. Great job in breaking it down!

[@TheGourdKing]

Thank you for your compliment and I pray for a speedy recovery from the damage two versions of this movie undoubtedly did.

[@TelepathicBunnyComics]

@@TheGourdKing I hear queefs in my sleep sometimes...and anyone dancing badly gives me flashbacks...I'll survive.

[@bacteriajoe9403]

I knew it was going to be bad, so I tried to watch it "bootleg" on the internet. The alley weapons test scene just was the cut off point. The "out of control hose" gag became boring when I was 12. And the "shaming" promotions and "not for fans" concept has been the marketing of Captain Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Dr. Who. RottenTomatoes even tried to protect "Captain Marvel" by removing the "Want to see" category. What else falls into the "shame" and "not for fans" vein? The "not for fans" concept is really bewildering.

[@Drixenol86]

Is it really that hard to edit out the stuff that doesn’t work?

[@nigelhirth2181]

This movie, on paper, should have been a hit. Everyone involved *has* talent. What exactly happened to this many funny people to erase 90% of the funny, I will never understand. It seems like nearly everyone just mailed it in. In that regard it reminds me a lot of later Adam Sandler/Mike Meyers/Dana Carvey movies. This had big Love Guru/Master of Disguise energy.

[@TheGourdKing]

The interesting thing is that a lot of this film and its scenes were improvised by the actors. In this case, too much. Improv is fun and can often yield great results, but typically in small doses. To my understanding, many scenes were given a basic premise and the actors were just told to go for it. And the results, well, they speak for themselves.

[@hdofu]

calling Answer the Call a comedy is like calling Chris Chan the Smartest Man/Woman/whatever the fuck they are now to ever live.

[@liamnehren1054]

Saying they improved it after cleaning their butt with it is the feeling I got from the Wheel of Time adaptation. They can't leave well enough alone, I wouldn't say, instead if they had made a movie starring an all female cast where they were say the daughters or granddaughters of the original characters taking up the mantel when it is proven to them to be real and their grandfathers can't fight anymore. With no references to their gender, like how Ridley from alien was written gender neutral. I would applaud a new exploration of the source material. Like I did for afterlife. Instead they took everything wrong by today's sensibilities of the original and dialled it up to 11, while not doing much of what made the original an instant classic. Just like how no one writing Amazon's Wheel of Time seems to have read the story... they ripped away everything racist and sexist from the first book without realizing that the whole point of the story is the balance of yin and yang, male and female and all people of different beliefs, races and creeds having their own unique things to contribute to humanity. Ultimately all of the characters who don't learn and grow die horrible deaths. Even the story of the main male lead is, to learn that while he is the literal, in world protagonist, the world literally revolves around him and his two best friends. That doesn't mean he can do everything himself or should even try. As for the main female lead, she ISN'T the destined one foretold by prophesy and the world doesn't revolve around her but her story culminates as her being just as important if not more so then the main male character. That is the point of her storyline! yet they made her Ta'veren (main character of the world) in the show.... The same goes for the original Ghost Busters, Peter Venkman was a sleaze, that was on display the whole movie and everyone rolled their eyes at him. He was a jackass, that was the point, his arc was the redemption arc.... This movie just seemed to think that was a green light to hate on men. Same with the secretary being slightly dim compared to the main cast... they were university trained individuals on the level of theoretical physics. EVERYONE should appear a bit dim at times compared to them. Instead they gender bend her and make her unrealistically dumb.

[@TheGourdKing]

I recently bought the first WoT book and am looking forward to reading it. But everything I’ve heard about the adaptation is as you describe.

[@liamnehren1054]

enjoy, that fantasy world is incredible and has inspired many other series such as the sword of truth@@TheGourdKing

[@bacteriajoe9403]

OMG! I thought the same thing for a Ghostbusters 3, an all female cast to be decedents. Imagine if there were adlib scenes between father and daughter. Murray and Wiig. Ackroyd and McKinnon. Hudson and Jones. McCarthy would have to read Egon's notes. BTW, from the original, my favorite character was Winston (Ernie Hudson). Common man. Paraphrase my 2 favorite lines from the movie from him: "If there's a paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you tell me." "Ray, have you ever thought that one of the reasons we are so busy is that the dead ARE rising from the grave?!"

[@liamnehren1054]

I love all 4 of the original ghostbusters and he was a very solid character, unlike his genderbent counter part in the 2016 atrocity, who was randomly added to the group just because. He was added because they were overloaded with jobs and literally just needed another pair of hands so they didn't require anything more then willing and able to learn on the go. @@bacteriajoe9403 At the same time I like how he quickly showed that he was made of stern stuff and admirably steps up to face what he rightfully indicates was an apocalypse event. His in-depth quoting of the bible also shows that while he was not a scientist he was dedicated to memorizing the actual text of his belief which is more then most bible thumpers can attest to. This also shows that he probably had what it takes to become highly educated. Which is shown in Afterlife where he has become the most successful of the original ghostbusters. This is very much in contrast with his gender bent counterpart who gave off the feeling of dumb as sin.

[@nslater1388]

Great video. Well spoken with engaging editing. You’re small now, but I think you’ll get larger before long.

[@TheGourdKing]

Very much appreciated. And thanks for subscribing!

[@elfofcourage]

How does this movie stack up to the ‘93 Super Mario movie on awfulness?

[@TheGourdKing]

I've never actually watched the Mario movie.

[@elfofcourage]

@@TheGourdKingIts ranked in the Top 10 worst movies ever list.

[@Ironcabbit]

At least the Mario movie had never been done before.

[@Drixenol86]

The Super Mario Bros movie 1993 is high art in comparison.

[@cappecfh]

Still haven't seen it and even after all the warnings I refuse to believe the movie can be this bad

[@TheGourdKing]

Believe it.

[@bacteriajoe9403]

I tried to watch it bootleg and stopped on the first "weapons testing" alley scene. "Out of control" hose jokes were boring to me by the time I was 12. So much was bad that by the time I saw that "joke", I was all "nope".

[@CopaExMachina]

I just don't get why people think the fat girl fall down routine of Melissa McCarthy isn't funny.

[@TheGourdKing]

It weighs heavily on the mind, does it not?

[@Drixenol86]

She was never funny…

[@CopaExMachina]

@@Drixenol86 But she falls down and is fat...hilarious.

[@thebeardybeerbroshow]

Where was you when you discovered the gourde king

[@vladyvhv9579]

I watched this movie back in the day, with an open mind. And came to much of the same conclusions back then. This movie is almost as much of an insult to the fanbase as the Dukes of Hazzard movie was. Thankfully, we have a proper Ghostbusters 3 in the form of Afterlife. If you haven't seen that, go watch it. It'll restore your faith in the brand.

[@TheGourdKing]

I definitely plan on checking that one out because I have not seen it yet. I, too, try to come to movies/tv shows such as this with an open mind, even if I have certain expectations. It's part of why I tend to wait until narratives have died down so I don't find myself influenced even by reviewers/creators I normally agree with. I did the same with Rings of Power recently, as I've begun to review episodes of that show.

[@Pj0tter]

It's as funny as SNL. Nuff said! You put a lot of work in this video I must say. And you don't shy away from a feisty opinion. I admire that.

[@TheGourdKing]

I appreciate that. And I certainly don't 😁

[@jeremygeorgia4943]

Like you mentioned, the whole thing started with an idea, and that's the entire problem. Before there was ever a story or a script, we got the director's idea that he wanted to swap genders and remake the Ghostbusters movie. That doomed and limited the movie right there. The whole thing was based on a gimmick. It was never going to take a respectful look at the film, or make an intelligent interpretation. It was always intended as a quirky parody. The story was secondary. Everything was backwards. He chose his dream team of actresses, THEN came up with the story. That's not how award winning reboot films are made. I am not sure the problem was the amount of comedy, per se. The problem was that the comedy was sub par. The film was passable, if you took out the intentional attempts to be funny. I think the biggest thing to hurt the film was the "Us Vs. Them" marketing, and the implication that you HAD to see the film, to prove that you weren't a bad person and that you were a true fan of the series.

[@MrFireChops]

Your channel gonna get huge if you keep dropping this heat I guarantee it

[@TheGourdKing]

Very kind of you to say 😌

[@MrFireChops]

Looking forward to the next review

[@Chloe1sylvester1234]

What made Ghostbuster 2016 such a bad film wasnt that it wasnt very good but the way the produces started to play sexist card when people hated it.

[@TheGourdKing]

Obviously, I’m of the belief that the movie itself is quite bad, but if the people involved with the movie had simply gone about promoting just the film and just let any criticisms go, valid or otherwise, it would almost certainly not have the bad legacy it has kept.

[@Drixenol86]

Paul “I have a tiny pee pee” Feig just couldn’t take criticism well.

[@LukeR.5117]

Your scripts are hilarious (and better written than this film). Well done!

[@TheGourdKing]

To be fair, the bar to clear was very low indeed.

[@rbl205]

Where was I the day this turd dropped? It pains me to say this, but I was at my local theater, watching this movie. My friend at the time, who was a member of a San Francisco-based Ghostbusters fan group, was treated to an early screening of the film, courtesy of Sony Pictures' Ghost Corps. He said it was just as good as the original, and recommended that I see it. So on his good word, I saw it on opening night. To this day, I still don't know if he actually liked it, or if he was legally contracted to promote the film for Sony in order to join the early viewing.

[@TheGourdKing]

A survivor of Ground Zero... Thank you for sharing your story ✊😐

[@rbl205]

@@TheGourdKing Had to fight through some PTSD for this one.😋 Thank you for your review!

[@TheGourdKing]

@@rbl205 I live to serve.

[@Drixenol86]

Maybe he was in denial.

[@rbl205]

@@Drixenol86 That is also a possibility, and I get it to a certain extent. As a lifelong fan of Ghostbusters myself, I would love nothing more than to see this franchise blow up again like it did back in its heyday. But I'm just the kind of guy who wants quality over quantity.

[@RaptorofRex07]

Oh-no Charles, Bill, Annie, Dan, Chris, Ernie, Sigourney,Slimmer why did you say yes to this movie lol

[@jamesdavis3851]

Really tight comedy at points (this video, not the subject matter). Funny stuff, but does anybody want a long summary of this movie? Nemoy: The answer, is no. I bet the author would be awesome criticizing something interesting.

[@TheGourdKing]

Worry not. I have interesting movies lined up 😅

[@thewheelsnakes6270]

i enjoyed your review thanks for making it

[@user-tz5ck1xy5u]

I find Kate McKinnon kinda hot. But, no, I didn't watch it and probably won't ever.

[@TheGourdKing]

Interesting….

[@ImTheStrongest]

Where were you when men first set foot on the moon? Me: I wasn't born yet. Where were you when JFK was assassinated? Me: I wasn't born yet. Where were you when the Westfold fell? Me: Uh?...

[@Elf_Ranger]

the problem with this move was NOT cause the gender differences or sexual things... but the WRITING! also--- "half" separate reasons... every "male" roles in this move were either a complete buffoon OR a HUGE asshole! and ONLY the "female" roles where shone as redeem "heroes"

[@TheGourdKing]

The writing is most certainly the film's largest problem, as I concluded near the end as well.

[@Drixenol86]

Makes me think of Dark Helmets line “I’m surrounded by assholes”.

[@toongrowner1]

I noticed, the problem with the humor of this movie is pretty much similar with the "strong" woman in modern media. The writter makes them what they tink makes male heroes popular, this being toxic masculine traits, not realizing that even the most testostoron filled action heroes is far from an actual toxic male. So the comedy here is just what feige thinks makes a good comedy (oh fart jokes, being incompetent) not realizing that this kind comedy was either not or handled differently in the original movie. Also there is a slightly better version of this movie in the game lego dimensions, you basicly replay the movie but shorter, the silly humor makes more sense since is a lego game, and all traits of "male bad" "your just sexist" and all that political crap is pretty much removed. Think about it, the makers or a lego game managed to somewhat rewrite this movie in a decent way. Lastly: No one ever had a problem with a female ghostbuster as the two animated ghostbusters show (not the filmation one) proofed

[@TheGourdKing]

All correct.

[@TheJuRK]

The horror. The horror. I saw this disgusting pile of cat sh*t in an empty theater in 2016. The ushers kept checking in to see if I was still there. And I followed this turd all the way down to the bottom of the sewer, all to shut up the women I knew who criticized me for ripping on the movie without having seen it. So I saw it. Now I'm only watching Hollywood burn to the ground because of its Woke nightmare and feeling the dark satisfaction of a man who's lost everything but lived long enough to see the evil forces suffer and die. So...I got that going for me. Which is nice.

[@finkemon9]

Great video. Great editing. I'm only 2 minutes in...

[@TheGourdKing]

Thank you 😊

[@wulfigan8591]

I have nothing against Women in Remakes... I Just don't like bad writing, horrible punchlines and the (the Word that rhymes to ape) of the Ghostbusters... My 9 year old daughter forced me to See this, let's say "Film" again, because we watched the two Originals earlier... even she said, "Thanks for the warning Daaaad!" Guess what, i have😅 Such a "Schmutz"

[@siborgproductions2422]

Thank goodness for afterlife

[@bacteriajoe9403]

Gourd King, Giving your channel a chance, I've "Subscribed" because of this video. Another "awful" movie to review is "Cabin Boy" (1984). It is a "B" movie on purpose. "B" movies are fun when not intended which makes this movie a harder pill to swallow. It is a Chris Elliot vehicle and I am a Chris Elliot fan. An example of the "B" movie stature is the fact that most of the movie is supposed to be on the ocean but you can tell it is filmed on a massive wading pool. It is suspension of disbelief with semi-cheezy acting with sprinkles of believable. Oh, and it's super silly. When I get friends to watch it, they want 2 hours of their life back even though the movie isn't that long. Another movie to review, "Xtro" (1982), if you can find it. It is an underrated whack-a-doodle alien-horror movie. Level of intensity, imagine the intensity of "Ichi the Killer" (2001) with all the same madness, but alien-horror instead of Yakuza, with less cinematography, less plot, and British.

[@TheGourdKing]

I appreciate your sub very much and hope you enjoyed the video, and given the sub, it appears you did, which is great! I do not focus solely on bad movies/shows, though since reconfiguring my format last month my last two videos certainly have (as will my next, as I'm onto episode 2 of Rings of Power). After my next, I'll likely do a video on something I actually like, though I'm not sure what just yet, then another Rings of Power video (I'm staggering between videos such as this one and ROP episodes at the moment). I've heard of Cabin Boy and actively avoided it back when it was released, but I wouldn't be against covering it to some capacity sometime down the road (either via video or possibly as part of a live show I'm pondering where I talk movies that were previously in my blind spot). As painful as a terrible movie can be, talking about it or making a video can be quite fun. I certainly had a good time making this one. I've never heard of Xtro but it sounds very intriguing. I actually keep a list of recommendations and other films I plan to possibly cover, so I will definitely add these (as well as your user name by them since I like to shout out those who give me recommendations). Once again, I very much appreciate you subbing. Welcome to the Kingdom. Gourdspeed!

[@louieparsons]

Brilliant Video Mate 👌 Keep Shining ✨️

[@mr.camacho2548]

To be fair... The recklessness is accurate of girl logic.

[@MRLUTHOOOR]

Is this a review? Or angst? I mean this movie totally blew, yes.

[@jarrodminton6073]

I was able to watch this movie for an entire 5 minutes........... which is not unusual for any Melissa McCarthy movie within that 5 minutes I knew I was wasting my time and quickly changed the channel it was on cable and I am sad to say I paid cable for this movie I sure was not going to see it in the theater....... like most who have cable I saw a little bit of Peace here and there and it did not want me to see any more of it this was a disaster from beginning to end do as the host subscribes do not waste your time with this not for curiosity not for hate watching not even for is it that bad because it literally is that bad

[@jarrodminton6073]

Thank you bro we both agree

[@Angela-js8rq]

The movie had 3 great comedian's in it. That's why I watched it.

[@jacquelineabreu1766]

Unfortunately, this was the film that introduced ghostbusters to me.😢

[@TheGourdKing]

Oof. That's like the cinematic equivalent of getting catfished.

[@TEZZMADETHIS]

Not a fan of the film, it did feel like the beginnings of recasting women in mens roles. Cannot wait for these people to stop virtue signalling and get on with making FICTION!

[@Drixenol86]

Only Kate McKinnon’s character actually felt like a character. Everyone else is just being themselves. You know you’re doing something wrong if 1 out of the 4 main characters is the only likable.

[@andrewvanhalen1984]

A character, not a good one, but a character.

[@normalgraham]

McKinnon was mugging in the background for 100% of the movie, so if you equate wacky facial expressions to characterization she was a MASSIVE homerun

[@starofjustice1]

Pretty much yeah

[@barowt]

Guess I'm the only person who liked the woman Ghostbusters movie..

[@TheGourdKing]

Possibly, but it's okay that you liked it.

[@langbo9999]

What comedy ?

[@TheGourdKing]

Exactly.

[@user-hb9fy6ny4j]

❤

[@YouShouldntBeDancing]

Hey, leave The Squad out of this. They hated the movie, too.

[@TheGourdKing]

😅

[@nickducharme5104]

The movie is bot that bad. My daughter likes it and it introduced her to Ghostbusters. It is a long Saturday might live Ghostbusters skit. It is a bit better the Ghostbusters frozen empire.

[@TheGourdKing]

SNL is similarly awful.

[@joshsmith9572]

Young Mr Virgin Kid, toughen up.