Battle of the blockbusters: Ghostbusters vs Men in Black

If you’ve been on this planet for a while, the catchphrases “Who you gonna call?” and “Here come the Men in Black” will have a special significance. While superheroes have been protecting major cities (and by extension our world) from inevitable demolition, there was a time when aliens and ghosts were more prolific threats. Whether you believe in either is irrelevant because thanks to the Ghostbusters and Men in Black, we may never have to confront poltergeists or spacemen in our lifetime.

If Ghostbusters ruled sci-fi comedy in the 80s, it was Men in Black that took over the mantle in the 90s. While bustin’ ghosts and eradicating aliens may have some perks, these heroes chose to fly under the radar, occasionally making the headlines but solemnly winning the war on alien and ghost scum. Sure, their proton-guided ghost traps and plasma weapons such as the “noisy cricket” helped some but what would happen if the Ghostbusters had to go head to head with the Men in Black for movie dominion? Since both sci-fi action adventure comedy franchises are streaming on Showmax, we thought it’d be worth seeing who comes out tops.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters follows the adventures of three Not-So-Average Joes, who have made it their business to rid New York City of pesky ghosts and make their crime-riddled city a safer place. Blending action, comedy and horror, Ghostbusters became the highest grossing comedy ever in its time and one of the most successful comedy films of the 80s. Ray Parker’s Ghostbusters pop song was a number 1 hit and the supernatural movie launched a multi-billion dollar franchise.

Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as parapsychologists Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, this fun and highly entertaining comedy “of Biblical proportions” finds the perfect mix of special effects and Bill Murray’s trademark deadpan comedy. From comical ghosts to hilarious one-liners, Ghostbusters is dedicated to showing its audience a real good time.

Men in Black (1997)

Named after quasi-governmental agents who supposedly threaten or eliminate UFO witnesses, sci-fi action comedy Men in Black took a fresh spin on the concept. The movie focuses on J and K, two agents from a highly-funded secret immigration and regulation government agency, who stumble upon an intergalactic terrorist’s assassination plot. Set up to investigate all paranormal activity, the X-Files phenomenon and Spielberg’s ET hangover made MiB all about aliens.

Starring an unlikely duo in Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, this wildly entertaining and eye-popping comic book adaptation launched its own franchise much like Ghostbusters… also in New York, of all places. Blending otherworldly visual effects, a sharp script and epic action sequences, Men in Black’s charming co-leads ensured maximum entertainment value and big box office numbers.

Ghostbusters II (1989)

The sequel to Ghostbusters sees Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson reprise their roles. Picking up five years after the events of the first film, the foursome find themselves out of business after being sued for property damage and banned from continuing their supernatural investigations. When the painting of a powerful 16th-Century magician comes to life and a river of slime emerges, the Ghostbusters are called back into action.

Ghostbusters II wasn’t as warmly received by critics and fans, falling short of the original movie’s dark humour in favour of being more family friendly. What the sequel lacks in novelty, it makes up for with performance thanks to its charming cast and the likes of Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, “Slimer” and inimitable secret weapon, Peter MacNicol.

Men in Black II (2002)

Men in Black II finds J and K reunite to battle a Kylothian monster turned femme fatale in their ceaseless quest to rid the universe of alien scum. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones reprise their roles as J recruits K back into the fray in order to recover and use his expert knowledge. Adding Lara Flynn Boyle to the cast as a lingerie model with a dark secret, Men in Black II also features an outrageous cameo from Michael Jackson.

Much like Ghostbusters II, the sequel to the popular Men in Black didn’t meet the expectations of the original. Men in Black II may lack the novelty of its first outing and recycle elements, but this fun follow-up still has enough zany sci-fi action, eye candy and comic book chuckles to entertain, bolstered by the chemistry of its dependable co-leads in the ever-charming Smith and deadpan Jones.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

The third film in the Ghostbusters saga has been on the cards for decades but was interrupted by the untimely death of director, screenwriter and actor, Harold Ramis. The team behind Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and director Paul Feig, breathed new life into the nostalgic franchise with an all-female reboot called Ghostbusters in 2016 (also streaming on Showmax). The “remake” stoked the undying passions of the fandom, leading to a long-awaited and heartfelt sequel to Ghostbusters II in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Serving as a farewell and a rebirth, Ghostbusters: Afterlife traces a small family’s journey to discover their late estranged grandfather’s connection to the Ghostbusters. Starring McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard and Logan Kim, the next generation of Ghostbusters are more like Goonies in their quest to unlock dormant secrets, backed by Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd. This exhilarating adventure rekindles the fun at the heart of the franchise with enough good humour, exciting action set pieces and nostalgic throwbacks to satisfy old and new fans.

Men in Black 3 (2012)

While it took several years, Men in Black 3 tipped the sci-fi action comedy series into a trilogy. Armed to the teeth with a fun time-travel concept, the third movie finds J discovering more about his gruff partner K when he’s forced to venture back in time. When K’s old nemesis, an alien criminal named Boris the Animal, kills him, it’s up to J to put things right by teaming up with his partner’s younger self.

Men in Black 3 rediscovers much of the fun and spunk of the sensational opener as the confidence-oozing Will Smith finds his mojo again with a stony-faced Josh Brolin to rival a hilarious new villain played by the animated Jemaine Clement. A colourful, fun, rollicking time travel misadventure, this amusing buddy movie is a definite upswing for the series packed with imaginative visuals to deliver full-blown entertainment.

Verdict

Both blockbuster sci-fi action comedy franchises feature catchy theme songs, have cool gadgets, find New York as their epicentre, hinge on charismatic to deadpan actors, involve taking out irritating scum, cast Chris Hemsworth and follow a similar trajectory when it comes to carving out their supernatural dynasties.

Starting on a high, then failing to measure up to the out-of-this-world novelty and charm of the first movie only to save face with a satisfying and nostalgic third instalment that captures much of the charm and soul of the original… much like the Oscars, it’s almost impossible to pick a clear winner! Our advice: flash the Neuralyzer and watch them all over again!