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Ghostbusters (1984)

By Michael Schilf · October 25, 2010

Screenplay Genre: Comedy / Fantasy / Supernatural

Movie Time: 105 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

After losing all funding of any kind for their paranormal studies department at Columbia University due to highly suspect findings, research, and methods, Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) mopes about their bleak prospects, but Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) suggests they go into business for themselves as the world's first firm for paranormal investigation and elimination: a.k.a. The Ghostbusters. (00:13:13)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

At the newly christened Ghostbusters headquarters, Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) arrives seeking an explanation for the events that took place in her kitchen: a doglike creature growling the word "Zuul" in her refrigerator. As Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) and Ray discuss a plan of action, Peter flirts shamelessly with her, insisting on going back to her apartment to "check her out". (00:23:28)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

Returning home to get ready for a date with Peter, Dana notices the same growling sounds from the kitchen, but before she can react, three arms burst from the armchair she's sitting on and hold her down as she is dragged through her kitchen door to one of the demon gargoyle dogs (00:50:08)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

After pompous EPA delegate Walter Peck uses a court order to shut down the power grid at Ghostbusters headquarters, thereby releasing all the contained ghosts to run rampant throughout the city, the Ghostbusters and Peck are brought before the Mayor, Peck claiming they're con artists, but when Peter suggests that the mayor could be responsible for saving "the lives of millions of registered voters", the Mayor throws Peck out and offers whatever support he can to the Ghostbusters. (1:14:37)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

After their failed attack on Gozer, the Ghostbusters hear Gozer's booming voice demanding that they "choose the form of the destructor". Peter tells the guys to clear their minds, so no form will be taken. But it's too late – Ray admits that it just popped in his head, something he thought could never harm anyone: "It's the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man." And then we see it: a 10-story, white, puffy marshmallow man walking through the streets, crushing everything underfoot. (1:30:38)