"Gespensterjäger" is a German 100-minute movie (90 without credits) from earlier this year written and directed by Tobi Baumann. Baumann has worked with Engelke and Pastewka many times in the past already and their collaborations have almost always been really funny. Not so this one. Engelke is almost the only positive thing I can mention about this movie. She nails the comedic parts and proves that she is still, after all these years, among Germany's best female comedians. Pastewka we don#t see, but only hear as he voices a ghost named Hugo. Honestly, this character added almost nothing to the entire movie in my opinion and Pastewka was truly wasted.
The film's biggest weakness were probably the dramatic parts about friendship, courage and caring for other people. All this felt really only included for the sake of it and to make this film an experience beyond comedy and supernatural humor. It did not work. Also the characters' actions in these dramatic scenes made hardly never any sense, like Engelke's character shouting at the boy near the end. I wish at least the comedy parts were good enough to let me recommend this to you, but nope. This film was rarely funny and I cannot even say it's a good watch for young audiences. But it's certainly not a good watch for grown-ups. Finally some words on child actor Milo Parker: He seems totally on the rise with this movie here, but also international projects like "Mr. Holmes" or Tim Burton's newest movie. And it looks like the characters he plays in these films aren't small at all. I truly hope these movies turn out better. The script here destroyed something that could have been a pretty good experience. The cast is top-notch and packed with names that are very famous in Germany. Disappointing outcome for that. Not recommended.
The film's biggest weakness were probably the dramatic parts about friendship, courage and caring for other people. All this felt really only included for the sake of it and to make this film an experience beyond comedy and supernatural humor. It did not work. Also the characters' actions in these dramatic scenes made hardly never any sense, like Engelke's character shouting at the boy near the end. I wish at least the comedy parts were good enough to let me recommend this to you, but nope. This film was rarely funny and I cannot even say it's a good watch for young audiences. But it's certainly not a good watch for grown-ups. Finally some words on child actor Milo Parker: He seems totally on the rise with this movie here, but also international projects like "Mr. Holmes" or Tim Burton's newest movie. And it looks like the characters he plays in these films aren't small at all. I truly hope these movies turn out better. The script here destroyed something that could have been a pretty good experience. The cast is top-notch and packed with names that are very famous in Germany. Disappointing outcome for that. Not recommended.