Ghostbusters is one of the most popular films of all time. The movie spawned a hit song that is a Halloween favorite today, a popular Saturday morning series, and a sequel. A wrongfully maligned reboot was released in 2016 and a new entry is set to come out this November. Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters is a loving look back at the iconic blockbuster.
Director Anthony Bueno interviews many of the cast and crew associated with the movie – though there is one noticeable and unsurprising absence. They are of the talking head variety and work extremely well. Cast and crew talk about the project with sincerity and love. It is clear to see how proud everyone is of the movie. The authenticity also shows how universally loved the 1984 hit is.
If a film is going to cover Ghostbusters, then it has to talk about special effects. A good chunk of Cleanin’ Up the Town is spent talking about the still impressive visuals. Again, insight from those involved gives new meaning to what went on. Obviously, there is talk about the more technical aspects, but these moments also show the amount of work and care that went into everything. It is not just FX nerds that will be interested in what went on behind the scenes.
Cleanin’ Up the Town explains why the film was a product of the 1980s yet still manages to remain timeless. This leads to a deep exploration of comedy and special effects. A part of looking at the long lasting appeal includes examining the origins of Ghostbusters. By now, everyone knows what Dan Akroyd’s original plan was (for those who don’t, it had a much bigger sci-fi vibe), but it is still interesting to hear how the script evolved.
Documentaries about a specific film are a risky proposition. They may inadvertently set a barrier of entry that only fans can clear or a controversy surrounding the movie may seem more important. Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters is a love letter to an important film that anyone can enjoy. It is a great reminder of what was and preparation for what is coming.
Extended Version of Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering the Ghostbusters will be in Theaters October 1st, Available Digitally October 5th
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