Who you gonna call?

In a refreshingly materialist spin on the spiritual, Ghostbusters (1984) is forced to forge new ground in its efforts to exorcise ectoplasmic emanations. Acting at the intersection of supernatural studies and paranormal pest control, the logistics for the capture and containment of the undead finds form in proton packs (where the nuclear powered proton stream counters negative energy with a stream of positively charged ions) and the laser grid containment unit.

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters

Dr. Egon Spengler: I’m warning you. Turning off these machines would be extremely hazardous.

Walter Peck: No, I’ll tell “you” what’s hazardous, you’re facing Federal prosecution for about a half dozen environmental violations. Now either you shut off these machines, or we’ll shut them off for you.

Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to understand, this a high voltage laser containment system. Simply turning it off would be like dropping a bomb on the city.

Walter Peck: Don’t patronize me, I’m not grotesquely stupid, like the people you’ve bilked!

Dr. Peter Venkman: At ease officer, I’m Peter Venkman, I’m a partner in this facility and I’m going to cooperate in any way that I can.

Walter Peck: Forget it, Venkman. You had your chance to cooperate, but you though it would be more fun to insult me. Well, now it’s my turn, wiseass.

Dr. Egon Spengler: He wants to shut down the protection grid, Peter.

Dr. Peter Venkman: You shut that thing down, and “we” are not gonna be held responsible for whatever happens.

Walter Peck: Oh yes you will, I’ll make sure you will.

Dr. Peter Venkman: No, we won’t be.

Walter Peck: Shut it off.

Dr. Peter Venkman: Don’t shut it off. I’m warning ya.

Con Edison Man: I, I never seen anything like this before. I’m not sure…

Ghostbusters (1984).

essential