“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” Review
(From Left) Podcast (Logan Kim) and Phoebe (McKenna Grace) test out a Proton Pack in “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” which continues the story of the original two films.
The original “Ghostbusters” is one of the most unique films ever made. It’s childish, but adult. Scary, but hilarious. Since the original’s 1984 release, there have been many adaptations and sequels including 1989’s “Ghostbusters II,” the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters,” the 2009 video game and the 2016 reboot “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call.” I have found enjoyment in all of them, but never on the same level as the original. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” the long-awaited sequel to “Ghostbusters II” not only fulfilled my expectations, but took the franchise in a new direction that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Set over 30 years after “Ghostbusters II,” the original team of supernatural hunters have split up and are hardly remembered with younger generations not even believing in the existence of ghosts. After the passing of Ghostbuster Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), his daughter Callie (Carrie Coon) and grandchildren Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (McKenna Grace) move to his rundown farm house in Summerville, Oklahoma. When a series of strange events begin to plague the town, Trevor and Phoebe begin to discover what their grandfather did and, alongside newfound friends, don the jumpsuits and proton packs of Ghostbusters.
While I enjoyed the 2016 film, I was troubled that a reboot seemed tied down to the original film instead of being its own thing. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” manages to set up a completely new feel for the franchise with new, well-developed characters. In particular, McKenna Grace is absolutely wonderful as Phoebe, inhabiting the same nerdiness as her grandfather, while also having an awkward sense of humor that got quite a few laughs out of me.
Finn Wolfhard, in line with his work in “Stranger Things” and “It,” continues to excel in the young-adult horror genre. Along with a local, no-nonsense restaurant worker named Lucky (Celeste O'Connor) and an AV nerd called Podcast (Logan Kim), the four of them embody the basic characteristics of the original team. Trevor is very much the cynic that Peter Venkmen (Bill Murray) was, Lucky is a badass like Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) and Podcast has all of the enthusiasm of Ray Stantz (Dan Akyroyd).
And then there’s current People’s Sexiest Man Alive Paul Rudd, who steals every scene he’s in as Gary Grooberson: a summer school science teacher. He befriends Podcast and Phoebe while also starting to date Callie. As per usual, he is absolutely hilarious and he is the life of the party.
Paul Rudd brings a great deal of humor to “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” as science teacher Gary, a fanatic of the Ghostbusters.
While the film does have call-backs to the original films, they’re mostly subtle touches like having many books stacked in the background or a close-up shot of a Twinkie. There have been unfair criticisms levied against “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” for its fan service but, like “Doctor Sleep,” the film doesn’t really start to acknowledge its predecessors until halfway through. That means, for the first hour, the film has to establish both a new, original atmosphere and characters.
Under the direction of Jason Reitman, the son of the original “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman, he makes a film that displays a clear understanding for what made the original so good. One factor was how, despite having a lot of swearing, smoking and adult humor, the film was still loved by kids, partially because watching it made you feel like you were getting away with something.
Unlike “Ghostbusters II” or “Ghostbusters: Answer The Call,” which had more humor geared towards children, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” made me laugh hard. Like I was watching the original all over again.
The film’s action has greatly improved upon the original with chase scenes involving the iconic Ecto-1 and new advances in ghost-catching technology. While “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call” was divisive among fans, one of the most beloved elements of the film was all of the cool gadgets that built upon the original proton packs and traps. Here, the Ecto-1 now has a gunner’s seat with portable traps on wheels.
One of the most exhilarating scenes in the film involves the new Ghosbusters crew chasing down a ghost down Main Street with the perfect combination of humor and stunts. The film’s special effects also utilize some of the puppetry of the original while the CGI work creates some dazzling ghosts and awesome weapons.
Jason Reitman takes over for his father Ivan as the director of this new chapter in the “Ghostbusters” franchise. His previous work includes quirky comedies like. “Juno,” “Up In The Air” and “Thank You For Smoking.”
But what makes this film a fantastic part of the franchise is just how much love is there for the original. With a talented director like Jason Reitman at the helm and much of the original cast reprising their roles, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” pays tribute to the original creators while crafting a new feel for the series.
On a personal note, my favorite Ghostbuster was Egon because of how his nerdiness came in handy to save the day. As I grew up, I came to love Harold Ramis as both an actor and writer/director in films like “Groundhog Day,” “Stripes” and “Caddyshack.” (I was probably too young to see most of those films but I turned out fine.) When he passed away in 2014, it was a massive loss for comedy. With that said, the way “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” pays tribute to Ramis is unbelievably touching and was enough to start welling up tears.
But while it’s unbelievably awesome to see the original Ghostbusters, what makes this film work is what’s different. The new actors, new environment and all-around new tone make “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” worth a trip to the cinema. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” will make you wanna call your friends to enjoy the magic of bustin’ ghosts and kicking ectoplasmic ass.
But, after all these years, one thing could make the film even better. If Coca-Cola could rerelease Ecto-Cooler, that would be great.
