My seven-year-old son and I have a system for grading the trailers before a movie starts. If we both lean over and whisper, "Yes!" then it is automatically determined that the two of us will go see the movie when it comes out. If one of us is a strong yes and the other is a soft maybe, we can plead our case and hope for the best. When we first saw the trailer for Ghostbusters, I was certain my son, who is usually not a fan of movies he thinks will be overly scary, would say, "No!" Still, when the trailer ended I hopefully turned and whispered to him, "Yes?"

"Yes!!!" he answered back.

To help prepare him for the film, we watched every version of the trailer we could find. We talked about ghost stories and watched the original Ghostbusters. Our biggest question as we neared showtime was to 3D or not to 3D. I worried that the movie magic of 3D might make the ghost scenes more intense, but ultimately I let my son decide. (He went back and forth and ultimately decided on 3D for us.)

What the film is about:

Childhood friends and scientists (Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig) reunite to prove the existence of ghosts. When ghosts begin to suddenly appear in New York City it takes a team (McCarthy and Wiig, plus a maker/engineer played by Kate McKinnon, and a historian/transit worker played by Leslie Jones) to take on the haunts. Slime happens.

Any sex or nudity?

There is some suggestive dialogue throughout. About 99% of it went right over my son’s head and none of it was so shocking that I would have a problem explaining (if he asked). Most of the incidences of innuendo are between Kristen Wiig's character and a receptionist (played by Chris Hemsworth) and within the film it is also repeatedly made clear her behavior is not appropriate.

Language?

In addition to some tame PG-13 language, there is a lengthy scene involving the middle finger. It's a scene that may fly over the heads of some younger kids and may cause teens to laugh (appropriately -- it's a funny scene!). My son falls into a murky gray area right now where he's sort of aware, but not really.

Violence?

One of the primary differences between the ghosts in this film vs. the ghosts in the first Ghostbusters movie is violence. The original ghosts were spooky and had a fright factor, but they didn't all seem to be coming after people. This film certainly has some ghosts who seem like they are out for revenge.

What's the takeaway "lesson"?

We like to talk about favorite parts of films and lessons learned. I know, we are that family. I won't spoil the film by mentioning all of our favorite parts, but pretty much every scene with Leslie Jones covers it. We loved watching a team of underdogs work together toward a goal. Finding a group of people who can accept you for all of your quirks can be difficult!

So let's talk about why this is such an enjoyable family film -- because it really was. My mother, my son and I all enjoyed ourselves. I probably laughed the hardest -- and that is mostly because I feel like the film is very much aimed at the Gen X demographic. If you grew up loving the original, there will be a lot to love in this version, as it is totally an homage (with cameos to make you squeal with delight). That being said, I wanted a bit more from the story. I wanted some romance, I wanted more backstory... all things that probably would have bored my son.

And what does my son say?

"It was kind of like Goosebumps -- so it kind of makes you jump, but it's OK."

Something to think about: There are kids out there who are looking at this film as being "just for girls." Kids at my son's summer camp even teased him for going to a “girl’s movie” (insert eye roll). There was nothing that pinned these characters as “girly” or gender specific beyond their names and a couple of questions about how one could walk in high heels. Otherwise, you could have cast anyone and it would have made no difference to the story or interactions among the team or other characters. (And the ghosts didn’t care!)

Ghostbusters is a film for all, and boys need to see women scientists busting ghosts just as much as girls do. Don't be afraid of no ghosts! (and do stay after the credits. ALL the way to the very, very end!)

Dresden Shumaker is a writer, advocate and appreciator of (butterless) movie popcorn. She chronicles her adventures in single parenting on CreatingMotherhood.