Is All This 'Ghostbusters' Backlash Sexist Or Just Unbridled Nerd Rage?

The reboot, directed by Paul Feig and slated for a July 15 release, replaces the original Ghostbusters with an all-female cast: Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, and Kristen Wiig. The internet's reactions to the movie—from Twitter to comments on the trailer—have been largely negative. There's been so much vitriol, in fact, that director Paul Feig felt compelled to speak out, condemning the "asshole" fans who are ripping apart the movie months before it even comes to theaters. 

A lot of people will say that the trailers are bad, and that's why they've inspired so much hate. And sure, maybe the trailers aren't that great (even star Melissa McCarthy admits the first trailer was "confusing"). But a lot of film trailers are bad, yet they haven't inspired quite as much unmitigated hate as Ghostbusters. Plus, trailers aren't the movie, so maybe it's a good idea to actually, oh I don't know, watch the movie and give it a chance?

So what's up with all the online hate? Are people finally rebelling against the onslaught of reboots? Is the original "Ghostbusters" just that precious to people? Or is the criticism something more sinister: flat-out sexism? 

Perhaps the reason is a combination of all three. Or: one of the three masquerading as the other two. (Spoiler alert: probably.)

Let's take a look at the evidence for each critique. 

It's hard to find evidence supporting the argument that people hate on "Ghostbusters" because they're sick of reboots generally. That's because much of that commentary gets lost in all the noise about sexism and the quality of the trailers. 

So something tells me reboot fatigue isn't quite the issue. Nevertheless, let's take a look at it, shall we?

I will not deny that there are a lot of reboots/sequels out these days, and that can be annoying to writers who have incredible scripts waiting in their desks that they can't get produced. Newsflash: Those are not the people making a big stink about the "Ghostbusters" reboot.

It doesn't make sense for these straight, white nerds who live in their moms' basements fans to be so up in arms about this particular reboot, and not the truly awful "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot from explosion-master and straight, white nerd hero Michael Bay. Or the fact that 3 different actors have played Spider-Man in less than 15 years. I'm not saying that these issues aren't also riling fans up, but the ire is NOWHERE NEAR "Ghostbusters" level.

Which brings us to Exhibit B...

I'm about to drop some knowledge people can't handle, so you may want to sit down. Here it is: That old movie you like? It will still exist, even after this new movie comes out. 

WHAAAAAAAAAT!? I know; I told you to sit down, didn't I?!

The critique that reboots taint the original film's legacy may be the most popular one. To be honest, it's a great way to justify Exhibit C, Straight-Up Sexism. (We'll get there—don't you worry).

But guess what! The original "Ghostbusters" still exists! In fact you can buy it for $9.99 on Amazon right now! The new version of the movie won't stop you from watching the original.

"But what about my CHILDHOOD?!" you ask? Well, if this new version does somehow "ruin" your childhood, something tells me you've lived a pretty great life up until now. Feig's "Ghostbusters" can't erase your childhood memories, because that's not how memories work. What Feig and his all-lady cast are doing is giving NEW people NEW memories. I know it's hard for you straight, white nerds who live in your moms' basements fans to understand any media that isn't created explicitly for you, which is maybe why Feig's film inspires so much rage. 

Let's call a spade a spade: All this hate is essentially sexist. This YouTube comment is one of hundreds (thousands?) that express this unbridled sexism: "Ugh, I have to watch ladies who I don't perceive as hot do things?! NO, THANKS."

Listen, dudes, I get it: You've been in charge for a long time, and the idea of a woman coming in and doing anything you've done in the past is very threatening. But the fact is women are capable of doing anything a dude can. Yes, even being a made-up character. 

As I pointed out in Exhibit B, not all art/media is made for you. For a long time now, everything—especially movies—have been made for men and boys. "Iron Man 3" was supposed to have a female villain, but she was changed to a male because "toys would sell better." I don't know who "Ghostbusters'" target audience is, and I want to believe it's for everyone. But maybe it is for women, and that's great! What's not great are the men who decide it's their duty to tank something that's not explicitly for them (see FiveThirtyEight's reporting on this trend as it relates to TV shows for women).

Oh, what's that? You just don't think women are funny? Fuck you. 

Here's where I think the answer lies: All the hate directed at "Ghostbusters" is a combination of all three of these factors. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's spent more than five minutes online that the world of white nerd boys can be incredibly sexist. (Ahem, Gamergate, anyone?) And they—like most people—are very good at hiding their hateful/sexist views behind something else.

In this video, the "Angry Video Game Nerd" (which is a bit redundant, imo) talks about his issues with the movie. Everything he says lines up with the critiques presented in exhibits A and B. "Angry Video Game Nerd" claims fans of the original movie would have rather seen a movie with the original cast, and then have a new, younger cast "win them over." Let's be honest: In this scenario, if the "new, younger cast" was populated by the women in Feig's reboot, they wouldn't win this guy over.

Anger over reboots, and believing something is too precious to you for anyone else to touch, are great excuses to hide behind when what you're really feeling is just some hard-burning sexism (or racism or homophobia or any other kind of bigotry).

Do I believe the armchair "Ghostbusters" critics when they claim that what they're truly upset about is reboot fatigue? Or that "Ghostbusters" is the sacred cow we're not allowed to touch? Sure, I do. But these opinions are tainted with a whole lot of sexism.