Movie Review: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (PG-13)
The affectionate, warm-hearted experience that is “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is pretty much what the trailer suggests it is; An entertaining fusion of “Ghostbusters” and a spirited (and youthful) 80s Amblin adventure. This is to say that it is every bit as much a homage to the works of Steven Spielberg as it is a love letter to an iconic movie Ivan Reitman and crew committed to film almost four decades ago.
As “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” opens, struggling single mom Callie (played by Carrie Coon) relocates her kids, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), to the creepy countryside home once occupied by her recently deceased father, Egon Spengler (played in the original films, by the late, great Harold Ramis.) Once there, Phoebe and Trevor must adjust to life in an entirely new environment. Phoebe struggles at first but things become a little easier once she starts to bond with her adorable classmate, Podcast (engagingly played by Logan Kim) as well as a relentlessly likable science teacher (played by the relentlessly likable Paul Rudd.) Of course, this is a “Ghostbusters” movie and it isn’t long before Phoebe starts to piece together mysteries revolving around her grandfather’s iconic past and ultimately, this wise-beyond-her-years youngster must spring into action through the aid of her brother and their newfound friends when a paranormal threat surfaces in their sleepy little town.
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is the brainchild of Jason Reitman (son of Ivan)–A gifted director in his own right (see “Thank You For Smoking,” “Juno,” “Up in the Air,” and “Young Adult”)–and he’s been very vocal about the fact that he made this movie as a tribute to both his father and his young daughter. This certainly shows throughout the film. Further still, it should come as no surprise that “Afterlife” overflows will callbacks and the obligatory fan service you might be expecting, some of which has caused a predictable backlash amongst a handful of fans. Not this particular fan, however.
Without going too deep into spoiler territory, there are certainly things in this picture that don’t work, key among them, a poor (bordering on nonsensical) reason for the disbanding of the original “Ghostbusters.” Further still, there are moments in “Afterlife” that feel forced rather than organic. Again, I’ll remain vague here as to not spoil certain aspects of this much-anticipated movie.
Quibbles aside, this is far from a negative review. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” really hit me in the feels! The kids are charming, the special effects are akin to those in the original (the Stay Puft gag is a kick), and, despite the plethora of callbacks and fan service, “Afterlife” does attempt to tell its own story. In fact, it could be argued that this movie is at its best when it’s forging its own path. And again, it can’t be stated enough how wonderful Grace and Kim are in this picture. Rudd and Coon are terrific, too! Likewise, the countryside home that serves as the primary location is a cool character in of itself recalling something you’d see out of an aforementioned 80s Amblin flick or even a Tim Burton movie.
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” has been attacked in some circles for being nothing more than an ode to nepotism but for me personally, it’s this aspect of the movie that lends it so much of its charm. After all, Jason Reitman is, for obvious reasons, one of the original “Ghostbusters” superfans and to see him come in and fashion such a joyous bookend to the movie that started it all is quite a treat. Yes, I’ve intentionally trodden lightly with certain aspects of this review in an effort to preserve the experience for fans who’ve waited more than 3 decades for this movie. Hopefully, you’ll walk out of “Afterlife” smiling like I did. Does it rival the original? I don’t know that I’d go that far but I did prefer it to the sequel and the reboot and quite honestly, I can’t wait to take my kids to see it.
