Bustin’ Up

So, the Ghostbusters Trailer has hit.  And there were responses.  I initially saw plenty of “I’m in” responses.  Suddenly I started to see a lot of “blah” reactions.  Some were super aggressively angry that the trailer was a disappointment.

And, I agree to an extent that there was some stuff that is frustrating (Mentioning the original film as it does makes it seem like a sequel, and it is not).  But I loved the interaction between Wiig, McCarthy, Jones and McKinnon.  Plus Jones slapping McCarthy yelling “the Power of Pain compels you!” cracks me up.

But then there was a complaint that started a war of words.  See, Leslie Jones’ character Patty is a transit employee.  People questioned why she could not be a scientist.  And this question was lambasted for it’s being PC.

I am weary of this.  I am weary of how legit questions of story and character choices in regards to diversity are so quickly attempted to be shut down with cries of PC Culture.  Diversity in film is, of course, not important to these mostly white critics.  White people in America have no idea what it is like to watch movies after movie where there is only one or two folks who look like us.  It is easy when your face is all over the screens.  And my entire life, I have heard white people lament even one non-white character appearing in a story as being unrealistic, or they are token characters or they are forcing diversity.

The question of why Patty could not have been one of the scientists (and having, say, McCarthy be the “every man”) is a valid one.  It is not like film and television have had a bunch of black nerds.  Now, they already finished the film.  Feig did not consult me.  And Leslie looks like she had fun with the role.  She is certainly protective of it.  I am holding back final judgement until I see the film.

Personally, I still wish it was within the original film’s storyline.  I think it would have made things fun if they returned in a sequel.  Let these ladies be aware of the originals, but nobody really knows where they went.  So, this film would focus on the new team, but in the background there is that mystery of where they went.  Then in a sequel, they could bring the still living cast in to team up with the new team.