Cross the streams

Remember how Ghostbusters ended?

The Ghostbusters arrived at the portal between dimensions to confront Gozer as the Lovecraftian ancient god prepares to enter our world and begin a reign of blood. They confront Gozer in the form of a young woman before the eldritch god takes the form of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. A lot of hilarious stuff happens - and then they pull a resolution out of their, let’s say, hats.

Just as a fact - the idea that crossing the streams would fix the problem is kind of stupid. I know that they introduced the notion earlier in the film, but it doesn’t make any sense.

But I’m not complaining about it - and I don’t remember anyone complaining about it back in the day. Everybody loved that movie. Of course, maybe the fact that it was a comedy makes a difference, but I think there’s something more going on.

At the point in the movie where they cross the streams, it’s the right time for some resolution. They climbed all the stairs, they met Gozer, they saw Stay Puft. We even got some words to live by: “If somebody asks you if you’re a God, you say ‘Yes’!”

I get as snotty and superior as anyone else when movies use arbitrary devices to get the plot to move along and end the way that people want, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and that was a tasty ending.

Let’s cross the streams and get out of here while everyone is still laughing.