Monday, July 18, 2016

Crossing The Streams

For those of you who don't know me well, or who don't frequent this blog too often, I'm a big Ghostbusters fan.

How big? Stay Puft Marshmallow Man big.

I've seen the original film at least three dozen times, seen the second one (which I'll admit isn't great) nearly a dozen times, watched every episode of the original animated series, 'The Real Ghostbusters' about three times each (some more than that), bought a number of the comic books, and I own both the Ultimate Visual History book, and the newly published Tobin's Spirit Guide.

I've GMed one major campaign, a half dozen one-shots, and co-GMed a campaign back in high school. You can search this site for info on those just by clicking on the Ghostbusters tag.

I really can't wait to run it again actually. Thing is, I'm not alone.




In a discussion on Facebook about the new Ghostbusters film, two of my good friends (both of whom had played in Ghostbusters games with me on separate occasions) noted their preference for what we'd done over what Columbia Pictures decided would be a good idea.

I can't say I disagree.




I have not seen the new film. I don't intend to, at least until it's on Netflix, or something. I won't pay movie theater prices to see it. I have no interest.

There are those who will say it's because I'm a grumpy, old, Ghosthead grognard, or worse a misogynist who can't except an all female cast. Such words hurt or would if I cared one iota what the people who throw such words in my direction have to say.

My lack of interest in the film stems from two main factors.

First, it isn't set in the milieu of the original films. It's a reboot and I don't like reboots. I don't like things that take away from the original work. I like things that add to the original work. An extension of the original IP, more material to expand the universe. Reboots tell me that the thing I liked, maybe even loved, didn't happen in favor of this new thing. Well screw you person trying to make money off of someone else's creativity. You aren't adding anything to the party.

The second reason I'm not interested in seeing this film is because I saw the trailer, several trailers in fact, and they just didn't entice me. A trailer is an advertisement. It is something designed to get you excited about a new film coming out. The trailers for this movie didn't achieve their objective. The jokes weren't funny, the acting seemed off, and the special effects looked cartoonish and overdone.

My entertainment budget is limited. I can't see every movie I'm interested in that comes out. Luckily, it helps when they make films I'm not interested in seeing.

At the same time, it saddens me when those movies are ones I've been waiting a long time to watch.


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2 comments:

  1. I'm with you - I don't understand why it couldn't have been a "Next Generation" approach instead of a reboot. You cover the nostalgia, the continuity, and getting a new cast/franchise off the ground all in one decision. I suppose that wasn't enough for the people behind it.

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    1. Exactly. Especially if you want to restart an existing franchise, that's the way to go.

      While some might disagree, I think Star Wars had the right idea with The Force Awakens. Like the film or not, it worked for its purpose. It introduced a new generation of Star Wars characters to both an old, and new generation of fans. In addition, it reminded us the original characters, stories, and elements of the universe still exist. It's the same place. We're just seeing more of it.

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