'Ghostbusters': Opening Paranormal Combat Positions to Women

FacebookXPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare

The new Ghostbusters reboot arrives in theaters this weekend and, if you've been reading the internet for the last year or so, there are a lot of guys in their late '30s/early '40s who are mighty upset that their 5th grade dream jobs are now being held by women. Which is a situation which should sound familiar to anyone who's been paying attention to old guy reactions to recent Pentagon directives opening combat jobs to women.

The new Ghostbusters movie is hilarious. Director/cowriter Paul Feig never makes a big deal out of the fact that the new Ghostbusters are women. Abby (Melissa McCarthy), Erin (Kristin Wiig), Jillian (Kate McKinnon) and Patty (Leslie Jones) have the interest and the skills, so they take the job. The only nod to gender politics is Chris Hemsworth's role as their profoundly dumb but hot receptionist.

Director Paul Feig poses with the Ghostbusters in front of the Ecto-1. Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) on the set of Columbia Pictures' GHOSTBUSTERS.

Director Paul Feig poses with the Ghostbusters in front of the Ecto-1. Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) on the set of Columbia Pictures' GHOSTBUSTERS.

There are no-big-deal cameos from most of the original Ghostbusters cast and Bill Murray is particularly funny as a paranormal debunker who attacks the Ghostbusters on TV.

Director Paul Feig poses with the Ghostbusters in front of the Ecto-1. Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) on the set of Columbia Pictures' GHOSTBUSTERS.

It's not dark, it's appropriately scary and the effects are good. It's a perfect summer movie that will stand up to repeated viewing. Director Paul Feig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones talked to Military.com about the movie.

%embed2%

Paul Feig, the film's co-writer and director, talks about putting his stars through training, women in comedy and his take on a classic.

%embed1%

Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones describe training for their roles, the action on the set, what it was like in their trailer and reveal their favorite military movies.

%embed3%

Melissa McCarthy talks about women in comedy and making a new version of a beloved movie. 

Story Continues