entertainment

'Ghostbusters' backlash brings out Internet trolls

51 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2016 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

51 Comments
Login to comment

Small men who know the only way they'll ever get noticed is to lash out at others from behind the shield of internet anonymity.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

death threats? seriously? sometimes humans make me sick.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Sony fired the original director, there have been problems filming it, and the plot was already leaked on Reddit to terrible reviews. This movie was terrible long before the trailer or the inexcusable Internet Trolls took over, but it's really just another Sony disaster like Fant 4 Stic. Misogyny is never acceptable and that's an issue like racism that needs to be addressed but if it wasn't already labelled a lemon of a movie it wouldn't have emboldened such behaviour. You can't fight tyranny without good art. USA continues to go downhill heading into its Trump years

6 ( +14 / -8 )

I saw the trailer to this and I have to say that a bad flick, whether it stars men, women or a teaspoon, is a bad flick. And this one looks terrible. Very few movie goers wanted this film made in the first place, Bill Murray tried his best to avoid being in it. At this point, with interest being so low, I guess they have to grab onto anything for exposure, even if it's to "Internet trolls".

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Yeah, it's not about internet trolls at all. Has the author even seen the trailers for this movie? It looks horrible. Another reboot done bad in an attempt to make a quick buck. Sure there are people who are going to dislike it because of the all female cast but the film just looks downright terrible. The all female cast in an attempt to cater to a specific demographic is just the sauce on what will be a s*** sandwich of a movie.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Actually Sony is using the misogyny (not saying it isn't there, just not as much as Sony Pictures has been touting it as) as main excuse to peddle this horrible looking film as is. There have been quite a few legitimate criticisms based on the trailer alone from both men and women stating that it's a hot mess. The original trailer made the film look bad... I mean really bad.

If you like simple slapstick and dumb herpa-derp humor, then you'll love this film. If you were expecting slick, witty, sarcastic humor with a bit of slapstick like the originals, then you'll be in for a very bad disappointment.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I am fine with them being women. Unfortunately some people will always be against major changes in well known franchises.

I think it's okay, but unfortunately the trailer really sucked. They dont deserve the hatred for the cast but they deserve 900000 dislikes anyway for that underwhelming trailer.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It's not about misogyny, regardless of what the spin doctors want to say about it.

The fact is, the trailer, the previews, the rumor mill, everything else says that this is going to be a terrible, terrible movie.

So what Sony did was take a beloved movie, with a sci-fi bend which means it appeals to the Net savvy crowd (which can be nasty even on the best of days), and made a terrible remake of it.

No originality. When movie audiences have been saying that this constant remake-retread system is getting boring.

No real humor. There have even been those who have said that the movie is even slightly racist as the black character is the only non-scientist, and she speaks like a caricature.

No attempt at intelligence. The dialogue in the trailer was the most spoon-fed, pap driven junk around. It's terrible.

Sony, you were asking for the movie to be napalmed by the Net critics. To try and lay it all on the feet of 'misogyny' is just a convenient excuse for making a terrible movie.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It's not about misogyny, regardless of what the spin doctors want to say about it.

Please explain how a comment like this is not misogyny:

“This garbage was made to make Feminazis happy,” one Twitter user complained in a broadside typical of the firestorm of abuse.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Death threat directed comments have no place on any comment section or forum, let alone in entertainment.

But please don't call out those who thought the trailers weren't very appealing as misogynistic evil women haters. Sure, the movie when released might be good, but many comments that aren't death threats or just hating on the female cast didn't like the TRAILER. Me being one of them, it oozes with a cheap Scooby Doo vibe and cliches.

Let's see if the movie can prove the haters wrong.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Please explain how a comment like this is not misogyny:

Original criticisms on that 1st trailer had substances and not mere one-liners but these Ghostbusters crews didn't take them well and dismissed the online critics as basement nerds and dweeps. And now we come to this kerfuffle. Own up to their faults rather than painting the critics to misogynist trolls with broad brush.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxxbRuXaSsI

-Not as good as the originals (1 and 2)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Please explain how a comment like this is not misogyny:

Original criticisms on that 1st trailer had substances and not mere one-liners but these Ghostbusters crews didn't take them well and dismissed the online critics as basement nerds and dweeps. And now we come to this kerfuffle. Own up to their faults rather than painting the critics to misogynist trolls with broad brush.

Sorry, how exactly did that show how the comment wasn't misogynistic?

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Sigourney Weaver was my favorite cast member in the original.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is a comedy upon a comedy. Read whatever you want into it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The fact of the matter is, it was a reboot that wasn't necessary. Just like the planned all-female cast reboot of Oceans 11. What's the point? You don't make movies like this to make a statement.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

For me, it's not a matter of women staring. I'm disappointed that the original ghostbusters aren't in it. It's like the new 24 without Jack Bauer.

If it were a collaboration between the old and the new, better. (And a CGI cameo of a ghost Spengler)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Honestly i'm not criticizing the fact that woman start in this movie. I criticize the fact that this movie is even being remade and as a comedy. Sure back in the 80s it was a slight comedy but now it's a mockery from what the new movie trailers are making it out to be. This was a masterpiece of its time. There are some movie that simply should not be remade. Who ever made this article on Japantoday is not understanding the sanctity of this film and the fact it should stay the way it was in the past.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The misogynists are making themselves out to be fools. If you don't like the movie because you like the original and don't like the idea of a reboot -- and one that looks terrible -- then fine. Not liking it because the cast is all women and not men is just stupid, BUT if that's the case, you keep it to yourself and better yet try to deal with your problems. Lashing out and calling people "feminazis" or what have you accomplishes nothing towards defending the original or in terms of valid criticism of the reboot.

I'm passing on this movie. Not because it's women, but because it looks gawd awful.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

The viewing public has spoken. You don't mess with a classic just because you've run out of original ideas. Sony should've known better.

I smell a flop in the making.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

There were women in the original movie. She has the most important part of all! She "answered the phones"! t!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The first comments were that the trailer was not funny. Then come the blog posts/ articles with headlines like 'Yes the reason you hate the new Ghostbuster's movie IS because it's an all-female cast' that went into full lecture mode. Of course there'll be a backlash, when you presume to tell people what they're thinking, and then scold them for it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

this board ate my first post, that's annoying.

anyway, I think they are completely off the mark here. while there might be some that do think that way, I think had they put male actors in those same roles that had an equivalent level of popularity as the female actors did that it wouldn't of significantly affected the overall reaction to the films by the public. So there for it's not misogynistic that people don't like this film, because the fact that the main chars are female is not the main reason this film has so much ire thrown at it. Heck I think more people are upset at that the new versions of the chars aren't close enough to the old ones is more the reason then the gender of the cast is. I believe that most people are upset because the film seems to be a bad remake of the original, for reasons other than that the female cast is mucking it up.

As for people referring to this as the "all female Ghost Busters" and not using "all male ..." tacked on to other movies like "the Expendables" is not as bad as they are trying to make it out to be. for one thing the name of this current version is the same as the name of the original there's not subtitle or anything else that can be used to refer to one or the other so we gotta make something up. Granted other things about it could be used but that is the most notable change in this version as compared to the others. As for why in other movies most people won't say the "all male cast ..." when referring to a certain version of other movies released is because that fact is usually not a distinguishing feature of those movies.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This movie is being used as a gender politics tool and is disgraceful. How dare they soil what was a great movie and warp it into a gender politics agenda. Shame on remake Hollywood garbage town. I will never watch this hunk of garbage.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Internet trolls say mean-spirited things. In other news, rain is wet.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

God damn women have it tough

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The thing for me is that it shouldn't matter whether women or men play the leads- this goes both ways. If this movie had been all male, would the story be the exact same? Then why does it matter if they are women? Does it use a ton of women-centric jokes..? . Based on the trailers it seems there will be "girl jokes" and "black jokes" though... So yeah I can see the point of the haters

Personally, I've absolutely no problem with all men or all women casts, but if you're going to take an established brand the execution absolutely has to be flawless or it's just going to look like a cash grab. In this specific case I think people have a right to be worried, but they are also latching onto really specific things before even seeing the movie.

I'll reserve judgment until release :)

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I don't think the issue is the women are the leads, the issue is they took a well established franchise and completely remake it and then to try to milk the crap out of it use an all-female cast. I think if they would have stuck with following the story's lore then they could have added some females (like 3 dudes and 2 girls or 2 dudes and 3 girls) so it doesn't feel like a gimmick and still have a female lead. All female-leads is a gimmick and fans don't like it.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Two things:

Ronda Rousey is not male the last time I checked Any press is good press, especially when the movie looks like Garfield (the one Bill Murray said YES to)...
1 ( +1 / -0 )

The page refreshed during my original post and I lost it, and lost my main point in the rewrite. What my point was is that these misogynists make legitimate reasons for not liking the movie instantly seem like "anti-Feminism" when in most cases it is likely not. Since there are idiots slinging out terms like "Feminazi" and what have you, any man who says he does not like the reboot is going to draw the ire of people who are using the reboot as a tool in gender politics.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Providing these cretins media coverage simply rewards bad behaviour. Don't run articles about trolls unless you want to become part of the problem.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Why take a movie with an almost all male lead cast, and reboot it with an almost all female lead cast? Sounds an awful lot like misandry, or at least a really overdone attempt at feminism to the point that the term "feminazi" becomes applicable. What would be the reaction if someone took a beloved movie with an almost all female cast and rebooted it with an almost all male cast? Well, the ladies, perhaps in their softer manner, would deride it, wouldn't they? I think if they had just made a more inclusive team, even half men and half women, there would have been no problem. Or if they had just made a completely fresh movie nothing to do with Ghost Busters, with an all female team of action scientists, there would have been no problem. Frankly, I think the original trolls are the ones who decided to do this to Ghost Busters! And that is not even getting into the horrible premise of the token Black person.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Damn press are so quick to jump on the sexual discrimination band wagon... perhaps people are pissed off cause they went off course from the original story? Maybe if they made a movie where they tied into the girls being the "next gen" ghost busters it would be accepted among the movie buffs, but this looks more like they are trying to make a chick flick type of movie.

But at the end of the day, if it is a good movie, it is a good movie and haters gonna hate.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I love women in action movies. Why? because they were really good at it and their roles are very well written. I love Sigourney Weaver at 'Alien', Angelina Jolie in 'tomb raider', Kate beckinsale in 'underworld', Carrie-ann moss in 'matrix', Uma Thurman in 'kill bill' and so on. There are too may actresses very good at their jobs and playing a very well written movie script. But... This 'new ghost busters' is not one. I'm pretty sure, women actresses I just mentioned, will completely agree with me on this issue. You don't hire an Asian to play 'superman' or an African to be 'batman'. A woman can't be Sherlock Holmes, just as a man can't be Lara Croft. Don't mess up with the simplest things. Just find actors and actresses that really represent their roles and thats it. Also... having a well written script is a plus.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Might as well remake Charlies Angels as Charlies Heroes :-/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am sure there was a bit of bellyaching over the gender swaps of characters in the Battlestar Galactica reboot, such as with Boomer and Starbuck, characters which everyone got used to quickly. But if they did that to 90 percent of the characters it would have just been feminist extremism, just as it surely is in this case. We are not blind. I am a feminist myself. But I got to tell you, I hate the extremists, call them what you will. Blaming the backlash on trolls is just raw delusion and denial.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Charlies Heroes

Charlene's Heroes.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Maybe it's because women just aren't that funny.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I'm not against this because of an all female cast... I just don't like reboots because they show a complete lack of imagination.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I can understand the backlash by fans who grew up with the original (like me :P) i am not a fan of the reboot either, but i will check it out, like with TMHT human lips and made by Michael Bay, the movie was enjoyable, maybe this one will surprise met too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm sure some people are lashing out due to the (poor) choice of an ALL female cast... BUT the overwhelming majority of said "internet trolls" are giving negative comments because a) the movie looks terrible, b) it doesn't even come close to living up to the original, and c) Reboots generally are shit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Honestly, I just feel bad for the women at this point.

Yeah they got paid, but watching them do press, beyond Jones, you can tell the hate is really taking a toll on them.

These women aren't trying to ruin your childhood. I honestly believe they just wanted to make a fun movie.

Okay it's not funny, but why be so angry just because it's not funny? Adam Sandler deserves more hate then.

Harold Ramis isn't walking through that door, Murray didn't want to continue, Ghostbusters 3 wasn't gonna happen. Let it go, watch the original on blu-ray and ignore this if you want, but let it go man.

When they reboot it with dudes or a mixed cast, maybe it'll work or maybe it won't but that happening anytime soon.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Misogyny? In this day and age? What would Mrs. Bill Clinton in her pantsuits with her cackling laugh say about this?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm not against a remake, but a remake/reboot has to be good or at least decent enough to hold up against the original. The idea for the script was leaked on the internet by a disgruntled employee. And once you see the script idea you'll probably hurl chunks. We can all thank Paul Fieg and the writers for this lack of imagination.

I believe I could have written a better script idea than what was presented. Even "The Real Ghostbusters" cartoon had better script writing than this.

As for the all female cast, that is not the problem. You can have funny comedians, but that doesn't make a funny movie if the script and writing is bad. And what they did to the Marshmallow man... The original made it to be a cuddly menace. The reboot version is just ugly. They could have gone with the Pilsbury Dough Boy without fangs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So, basically: "If you don't go see Ghostbusters, you're a misogynist!" -Paul Fieg

2 ( +3 / -1 )

“We’re never referred to without the words ‘all-female Ghostbusters,’ which makes me crazy,” he added."

Its because you're just remaking a movie with different actors. I would have no problem saying "the all-male Charlie's Angels" or "the all-white Shaft." Come out with something new, please.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I agree with those saying the rude reviews are not about misoginy, but it's about making a horrible version of a 1980's classic. Even if there were men, dogs and cats in the movie - it would be one of those movies that make you feel like fighting to get your money back. There are all-female movies that are superb, "Green Fried Tomatoes" is one of them. And there are other all-female garbage too, "Charlie's Angels" comes to my mind.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think this movie will be a lot like Star Wars Episode VII. (It's going to have a very familiar plot, but with lots of newer SFX)

... and be a disappointment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good CGI (animation), but the rest of the movie (plot/cast/producer) sucks. Kids may like it for the animation and the toys may sell. = They sold out the brand to make some quick cash in a down trending HollyWood film market.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If you take over an existing property and politicize it, no matter for what cause, I will probably hate it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites