"I really liked lady characters in Ghostbusters. Because they were allowed to be quirky snarky assholes and that’s all I want. And whenever I say I want this I only get recommended Jessica Jones and just. Why."But first off, flash back to the 1980s. If you're a boy who is a nerd or a geek, you cannot underestimate how utterly maligned you are in pop culture. I'm thinking of Nat Nerd from Garbage Pail Kids with his acne and over active bladder. But what really says it all is the laughably ill fitting super hero costume. The message is clear: Despite their hopes of being a hero, nerds are, in fact, hopeless, repugnant individuals existing only to be ridiculed.
But there was a glimmer of hope in the form of Ghostbusters (1984). Here you have Egon and Ray, and they have PhD level positions at Columbia University! They're smart and resourceful, building their own awesome cool equipment. Not to mention they're witty and funny, have amazing '80s hair, and brazenly drink Budweiser in front of potential customers! Ghosts even want to give them BJs--excellent! (if we go by the original version of the movie, which I will to help my point). Being a nerd can be subversive, rather than embarrassing. And, of course, they get to be the heroes and save the world. Being a nerd is the best!
On the other side of the spectrum, you have nerdy/geeky girls. If you're lucky, you might see yourself represented in a movie as the wacky best friend who only exists to give hope and support to a bland romantic lead (and forget about representation once you're past 35. If that.). You love super heroes too, but what you want is personality, not, as a friend of mine put it, "girl who could kick your ass while wearing a bikini."
A glimmer of hope came again in the form of Ghostbusters (2016), which took those traditionally best friend characters and finally made them the leads in their own movie! Girls who want to find ghosts, not husbands. Who dress for comfort. I hardly see anyone talk about this but I love the moment where Erin has switched from high heels to freakin rubber shoes, lol. Who are awkward in a fight and rely on their wit and snark (i.e. personality) to get by, rather than inexplicable kung fu. Not to mention a group of girls where the youngest is 31. And of course, again they are the heroes who save the world, despite all the doubts and ridicule. Being a nerd is, again, the best!
Maybe some of the detractors couldn't identify with all this, maybe it wasn't their life experience, and that's fine. I really think that's where a lot of the hate came from, basic misunderstanding. But for those who could identify, like in the comment I shared above, it was very welcome and appreciated. And I'm glad it's a tradition Ghostbusters has continued to uphold.