It’s full disclosure time.

After months of lackluster advertising I went into the new “Ghostbusters” fully expecting to hate it. There was just nothing about any of the trailers prior to the release that appealed to me.

So, imagine my surprise that this new incarnation of the beloved 1984 comedy actually works. Is it on the same level as the original? Certainly not. But it is still a film that stands quite well on its own merits.

This is not a sequel, or reboot of the original story, but more of a similar story in an alternate universe.

This “Ghostbusters” finds lifelong friends and paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) reunited when a series of ghost sightings in Manhattan sparks local interest.

Working with a nuclear engineer named Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) and subway worker Patty Dolan (Leslie Jones), Erin and Abby uncover a plan to open a paranormal porthole that would allow the undead to take over the world.

“Ghostbusters” does a good job of creating its own identity while staying faithful to the charm of the original film. (The cameos from original cast members are very creative and drew some of the biggest applauses in the screening I attended, as did the other nods to the original film).

At the heart of the film is the relationship among the four leads, and all four actresses are more than up to the challenge. Their chemistry is very good and their comic repertoire helps to keep it all zipping along. McKinnon is the standout in the pack, as the slightly aloof but brilliant member of the group. It’s a breakout role that should lead to even more movie roles for the “Saturday Night Live” cast member.

You also get Chris Hemsworth showing his goofy side as the group’s dim-witted receptionist.

I’m sure there will be some die-hard fans of the original that will still find faults with this “Ghostbusters,” but if you go in with an open mind you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Also in theaters

Another film opening this week is “The Infiltrator” (B), a crime thriller that has plenty of familiar elements in play but also has an ace-in-the-hole in the form of a dynamic lead performance from Bryan Cranston.

Based on a true story of a government operation that led to the arrests of many of the key players in Pablo Escobar’s drug empire in the mid-1980s, Cranston plays Robert Mazur, a U.S. customs agent who helped orchestrate the bust.

Mazur came up with the idea to pose as a money launderer to help infiltrate confidants of Escobar and ultimately bring them down.

With the help of a rogue cop named Emir (John Leguizamo) and a rookie agent (Diane Kruger), Mazur was able to shift the drug war in ways that hadn’t been seen up until that time.

Directed by Brad Fullman, “The Infiltrator” is a bare-bones crime thriller (much like one of Fullman’s previous films “The Lincoln Lawyer”) that doesn’t stray too far from the genre’s formula.

The supporting cast, which also includes Benjamin Bratt and Amy Ryan, could have been fleshed out a little more to add a little more substance to it all, but ultimately the success of “The Infiltrator” comes back to Cranston.

It’s a performance that allows Cranston to channel his Walter White, a mild-mannered guy at heart asked to be something totally opposite when he goes undercover. A scene where Mazur’s cover is nearly blown while at an anniversary dinner with his wife is among the film’s best, showcasing Cranston’s ability as an actor.

His work makes “Infiltrator” worth seeing, even if it ultimately left me wanting a little more.

“The Infiltrator” is rated R for strong violence, language throughout, some sexual content and drug material and is now playing at the Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12.

— To read Micheal Compton’s thoughts on other films, visit his blog at bgdailynews.com/blogs/reel_to_reel or on Twitter @mcompton428. Email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com. 

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig

Director: Paul Feig

Rating: PG-13 for supernatural action and some crude humor

Playing at: Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B