FREDDY VS. GHOSTBUSTERS
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review written 5/14/2004

I've never seen any of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, ever. But I've seen Ghostbusters, my favorite movie ever, so many times I can't even make an estimate. And since the Ghostbusters fan film world is particularly lacking, with Inner Demons never getting made and Bustin' Makes Me Feel Good being what it is, I'd been excited for this fan film for a very long time.

Bold cinematography—nice color work all around—and some very cool horror music starts us off. Shame they pull the old "it's all a dream" trick on us.

The title sequence was curiously lackluster. Ray Parker Jr.'s theme should provide a big kick, and it's over before it begins here.

A phone conversation happens. It's funny, but due to the quality of the lighting and framing, I'm expecting some music here, just like a real movie.

Music comes just as meet our new Ghostbusters. For some reason the updating of the Peter-Egon dynamic to young, profane college students doesn't work well for me. The "back off" line is a cute reference but poorly placed—it feels random. Personally I think the best place to stick a movie line would be the bum, saying "Boys, you're scaring the straights."

Is the whole "Neil Anderson" supposed to remind us of Neo / Mr. Anderson? It sure sounded like Freddy was saying "Neo".

Finally on the Union Station scene, I'm not sure why I think it's funny that the Ghostbusters are now in Denver and are making a big point of introducing it as such, but I do.

Ed references Egon, and it actually works this time. And I love the introduction of Ray's old suit, and the line that's used to describe it.

Oh yeah, and if anyone's ever complained about how hard it is to make a good Jedi outfit, you all need to shut the hell up and learn about what goes into making a Ghostbusters jumpsuit and proton pack. I'm just saying.

Love the glint on the disco ball in the bar as well!

Very clever choice to use the Rasmus cover of the GB theme for this modern update of the montage sequence. It doesn't pack the same punch as the real song though. Nothing does. I get a burst of joy seeing the Ghostbusters run down the street lit with Christmas lights, at their van (coolest prop ever?) and obvious local references. These filmmakers have a load of local pride. Got to love the nuclear weapons sign on the Hard Rock Cafe as well.

Damn I love "Mega Man III", by the way.

The source of Neil's poltergeist is quintessentially Ghostbusters. Incidentally, Ed Spengler using "I wouldn't rule out", just as Egon did in the firs movie, is a wonderful touch.

Sorry, but the small crowd of extras outside Nancy's house doesn't quite replicate the energy of similar scenes in the movies. But 22:31 makes up for a lot of things. Then one of the most bizarre jokes in fan film history ensues and quite possibly wrecks the whole thing. Neat fake blood though.

Love the Genesis cartridge with Ghostbusters in the slot. Crappy game, incidentally. 23:43 saves the film from the old joke.

Hmm. I seem to have predicted a joke earlier in my review. Damn, I'm good.

The ending contains yet another line that didn't need to be blatantly copied, but the music saves it. Finally, the classic theme gets the kick it needs. All in all this is a rousing adventure that any Ghostbusters fan will smile at. And I needed one of those. Really, really badly.