Ghostbusters (2016)

Chris Hemsworth plays a receptionist who covers his eyes instead of his ears when something gets loud, and somehow the god of thunder gets more laughs than the four comedy pros he works for. Paul Feig lets almost every scene run long, so riffs that should be a quick jab turn into drawn-out shrugs. Kate McKinnon is the exception. Her Holtzmann is a gadget-mad weirdo who seems to be in a stranger, better movie, and she’s a blast every time she grabs a new toy. Leslie Jones brings real energy as Patty. Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy have the old-friends history down but play it oddly flat. The villain is a mopey hotel janitor, and the Times Square finale is a CGI light show with nothing riding on it. It made $229.1 million worldwide on a reported $144M. A 5.4 because the team is good and the movie keeps getting in its way. $89.35 says the next time a smoke alarm chirps in the middle of the night, you cover your eyes instead of your ears.

What works: Kate McKinnon’s oddball Holtzmann and Chris Hemsworth’s clueless Kevin deliver the biggest laughs.

What doesn’t: Scenes run long on improvised riffs, the villain is forgettable, and the effects-heavy finale drowns out the comedy.

Who it’s for: Fans of the cast’s sketch comedy who want a breezy, slime-covered night in.