Why are people hating the new Ghostbusters?

I really don't understand it.

And I should mention before I delve into my thoughts that I am not a Ghostbusters fan. I don't have some childlike, nostalgia-fueled love for the franchise. In fact, I just saw the original film for the first time about two months ago, and I didn't find it to hold up like other older films. That isn't a critique on the special effects, premise, or acting; it just didn't grab me like it apparently grabbed kids 30 years ago.

And maybe that's where the differentiation comes in to play. The original Ghostbusters was never meant to play out and be the franchise it is today. It wasn't meant to span a long-running cartoon series, video games, a sequel film, even LEGO. Back then, the Ghostbusters was just a chance for some old Saturday Night Live cast mates and friends to get together and make a movie with a fun premise. Their energy and camaraderie is what made it so entertaining to watch on the big screen. Kids ate up the mythology and the characters, adults loved the jokes, and the film became a hit. The fact that the franchise has been as inactive these past few years is nothing short of unbelievable. 

Now, director Paul Feig of Bridesmaids fame is back to bring Ghostbusters to a 21st-century audience, complete with a cast of women to represent the modernity of both the acting industry and the world at large. He brings with him women he's worked with before, in the form of the impeccable Kristen Wiig and the surprisingly-talented Melissa McCarthy. Newcomers Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones round out the group, each bringing their comedic sensibilities to the table as well. Kristen, Leslie, and Kate all started SNL fame, so they've got the ability to do comedy well. Melissa McCarthy has recently had films like St. Vincent and Spy to change up her "Melissa McCarthy formula" of acting into something more diverse and enjoyable. The story, while clearly looking like a revisiting of the original, seems to be enticing enough to watch more people bust some ghosts. My personal favorite thing to see was the special effects, which look absolutely amazing. The ghosts look vibrant and lively; pardon the irony. The proton packs and the neutrino wands project dazzling light shows that will most likely culminate in an impressive third act. So I'm left flabbergasted as to why the people are so upset.

The move is definitely looking goofy and lighthearted for something generally considered to be king of the horror-comedies, but I really don't think that this initial look should detract people from enjoying a world that they love so much. As an outsider looking in, I'd recommend to keep your mind open about what's to come. I mean, it can't be worse than Ghostbusters II, can it?

The answer is no. It can't. Just like Star Wars  needed The Force Awakens to be great for its fans, so too does Ghostbusters need to be good. Have faith that director Paul Feig is doing everything in his power to deliver an entertaining entry into the Ghostbusters mythos. And if this doesn't work out, maybe the Ghostbusters franchise needs to be left alone.