Ghostbusters (2016)

If. That is the essence of everything with this movie: if. If this were an original idea; if there were not a classic movie that preceded and inspired this version; if this movie did not employ the gender-shift gimmick...If not for any of those aspects, then perhaps it could have earned more respect upon release. Judged on its own merits, the film certainly is worthy of respect; it's funny, engaging, and about as clever as one could expect given how high the bar was previously set. And the "controversial" casting is really not an issue; the ladies do a fine job, though only Kate McKinnon actually takes her role and runs with it, create something wholly fresh in this context. All in all, this is a good time at the movies, and--given the not so subtle hint of a sequel--worthy of attention now and in the presumed future.