‘Ghostbusters’ remake is fresh, funny thanks to female cast

What It's About: Guess what? In the thoroughly delightful "Ghostbusters" remake, which opens Friday (Thursday night in some theaters), smart and funny women prove they can cowgirl up and save the world. Yippee ki-yay!

With wit, charm and open minds, four women unite to rid New York City of mean spirits intent on wreaking supernatural chaos. The quartet must endure lots of green goo and vocal non-believers. But they capably soldier on in their mission, proving all naysayers wrong.

Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy crisply and keenly play scientists Erin Gilbert and Abby Yate, whose fascination with the paranormal culminated in a previous book collaboration but had a falling out and begrudgingly reunite in their common cause.

They're joined by the hilarious Kate McKinnon as a big-brained engineer Jillian Holtzman, resembling Dr. Brown-like eccentricities and the very funny Leslie Jones as a curious MTA worker.

A reboot of the iconic 1984 comedy, this female-centered version features a fresh perspective and also nifty throwbacks to the original movie. Familiar faces show up, much to the audience's delight, and the cameos are cleverly placed.

Not that I want to spoil all the surprises, but wait for it — Slimer and Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man are present. Be sure to look for the nod to the late creator Harold Ramis, who played Egon. Touche!

Director Paul Feig, who helmed "Bridesmaids," "The Heat" and "Spy," has a flair for bringing out the best in comic actresses, and it shows in how much fun the gal pals look like they are having.

Feig co-wrote the screenplay with frequent collaborator Katie Dippold, and they make the science jargon believable and the female camaraderie charming. A simple riff on Patrick Swayze movies is very funny.

Performances: Despite the preview trailer leaning more towards a McCarthy star vehicle, the girl squad is equally strong, and all four sharply display their "Saturday Night Live" and improvisation troupe skills through expert silky-smooth delivery, amusing with the tiniest facial gestures.

The handsome hunk Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") splendidly shows off his mad comic and dance skills — cheekily in on the airhead boy-toy jokes. Be sure to stay for the entire end credits. Oh, the flip side of cheesecake is naughty and nice.

What Works: The women are as fearless as guys as action heroes, and can swagger, too, even with their heavy proton packs and homemade gizmos — you go, girls!

The gender gap is non-existent in this case. This scientific experiment is successful, showing what performers' chemistry and affection for the source material can achieve. The filmmakers' attention to detail is obvious.

What Doesn't Work: Like most modern visual spectacle movies, computer-generated effects are over-produced in the climactic street scenes, and the relentless large-scale bombast slows down the final third.

But some nifty twists are saved for the end, and there is the merry mirthful credit sequence that's not to miss.

These girls aren't afraid of ghosts, and rise to the occasion against ridiculous odds.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 1:15 PM with the headline "‘Ghostbusters’ remake is fresh, funny thanks to female cast."