The first shot of the movie is of the main entrance to the New York Public Library at daytime. There’s foreboding in Elmer Bernstien’s music as the camera pans down and settles underneath one of the dominant stone lions guarding the library entrance. A flock of pigeons are disturbed and flap wildly, landing atop one of the lions. We’re flooded with information in this single establishing shot, with a gothic flavour and hints of mystery afoot. It’s also a visual signpost to the horror of witnessing the dog-like creatures coming-to-life from their beastly stone casing, much later in the movie.
Trivia: The lions at the entrance of the New York Public Library are called Fortitude and Patience – qualities you’ll need to get through this analysis.
Words by Gareth Rhodes.
Ghostbusters: Scene by Scene 