It’s been 32 years since we last saw the original gang in Ghostbusters II, which was released back in June of 1989. After years of speculation, developmental hell projects, and an underwhelming remake, moviegoers finally get to witness the next chapter of the Ghostbusters franchise. The movie is directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You for Smoking and Up in the Air) son of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original Ghostbusters films. The first two films were written by Dan Aykroyd and the late great Harold Ramis, while the newest installment was penned by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan (Monster House). Ghostbusters Afterlife stars Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, Logan Kim, Celeste O’ Connor, and Paul Rudd.
This new film picks up 30 years after the events of the first two. Most folks have moved on and have forgotten the adventures of the original team. The story focuses on a mother and her two kids who inherit a farmhouse from their grandfather they barely knew. They soon discover their roots tie to the original team and the events of the first movie AKA the Manhattan Crossrip of 1984. In the film’s massive marketing campaign, there have been numerous trailers, TV spots, and clips online. Breaking each of them down bit by bit, you will be hurting the movie experience. Remember, folks back in the 80s were not spoiled with much content and went into theatres practically blind. Honoring that way is much more enjoyable to today’s need-to-know insider culture. That’s the thing about this flick; it honors and pays tribute to the original Ghostbusters and also the late great Harold Ramis. Make no mistake about it; this movie will make you miss the character and also the actor.
Now onto the actors, Phoebe (played by Mckenna Grace) is the main character of this story. Her quirks and mannerisms echo her onscreen grandfather; you actually buy that this kid is related to him. Every time she tells a joke, whether it be scientific or not, you cannot help but chuckle. Mckenna’s charm and performance conveyed throughout the movie help the audience invest in her. The character especially shines when she is sharing scenes with Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd) and Podcast (Logan Kim).
Paul Rudd brings the humor like only he can and it fits within the mood of the Ghostbusters Universe. Logan Kim is basically the new heart of the movie; he’s loaded with charisma and just full of energy. There’s such a nice bond and chemistry between him and Mckenna whenever they are onscreen together. Carrie Coon as Callie is a welcoming addition to the cast, playing mother to Phoebe and Trevor and the daughter of- well… you’ll see. Her character acts in a way that every strong, single, caring, mother would be. She’s just trying to make ends meet, cope with her daughter’s genius resonating her father’s, and dealing with his absence. Trevor (played by Stranger Things and IT‘s Finn Wolfhard) is the older brother of Phoebe. He’s the mechanic of the family. His character is not really given much in this, but Finn finds a way to make his role fresh and play the supportive big brother role. He develops a crush on Lucky (played by actress Celeste O’Connor), a streetwise, adventure-seeking badass teenager.
If you’re familiar with Jason Reitman movies, coming to this franchise that started from his father was going to be a challenge. As you watch the movie, it’s obvious this is a father and son collaboration. You can tell that the cast and crew are having fun with this as it’s well presented on screen. Jason knows how this movie should be because he was there in the very beginning when his dad Ivan was in the directing chair. The theme of Afterlife is about family and forgiveness. Jason knows how to present that by bringing the characters together and setting the tone right.
On the writing aspect of this, Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman did the best they could bringing in new characters while paying homage to the original. Although through the dialogue provided, fans are able to distinguish it from Aykroyd and Ramis’ writing. (The earlier movies were mostly improv by the actors which made their performances original and genuine.) The effects, sounds, props, set pieces, and such were all handled very carefully and beautifully presented on screen. The FX wizards were able to mesh and blend practical and CGI effects together. The Mini-Pufts in this are adorable and their crazy nature are very much akin to the mogwais from Gremlins. Ghostbuster Fans will have fun finding (and hearing) every easter egg on the silver screen.
Music Composer Rob Simonsen was able to tap into the musical prowess of the late Elmer Bernstein, who did the original Ghostbusters as well as other classics like An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brothers, and Animal House. The music is an important part of the movie. It helps drive in that nostalgia trip to the ears, every twinkle moment or familiar tune the listener catches are callbacks to the first movie.
Even though the movie was set in Oklahoma, the location used for this was set in Calgary/Alberta, Canada. The locations they used to make up Summerville were Beiseker, Calgary, Crossfield, Dorothy, Fort Macleod and Drumheller. If you’re a filming location adventurer/Ghostbuster fan, these were such a delight to discover. I got to attend the Canadian Movie Premiere at Fort Macleod’s Empress Theatre; a location briefly shown in the trailers.
There’s a particular shot where the Ecto-1 drives through the main street, proton stream flying trying to catch a ghost. Witnessing that Ecto-1 passing by the Empress Theatre scene with a packed, sold out crowd that Saturday night was amazing. As soon as it was shown, the audience erupted loud with cheers and applause, that Fort Macleod screening was truly something special only this showing can offer.
There were some discrepancies in the movie, but you will not notice until after you finished the whole movie. This is where breaking down/nitpicking scene by scene and questioning certain plot holes with others hurts the movie. We know COVID played a big part delaying the movie, but no one bothered to reevaluate and catch certain continuity issues with the finish product within the one-and-a-half-year delay? Again, this is a non-spoiler review and you’ll witness it once you see it. The earlier movies are by no means perfect, but they sure left a mark and have a high replay value. Ghostbusters Afterlife will be included with that.
This is a movie to get lost in, but in a good way. Enjoy the ride as they say. Fans of the original two have always pondered ‘what is next for our heroes?‘ and this is it. With some minor flaws, Ghostbusters Afterlife‘s heart is in the right place and a step in the right direction. Personally speaking, I cannot wait to see what is next. I just hope that it doesn’t take another 30 years to be released. I will say the next chapter of Ghostbusters is EPIC, we can finally say Ghostbusters 3 is finally here.
(Unless you count the 2009 video game, then technically this is Ghostbusters 4, but you can be the judge of that.)
I give Ghostbusters Afterlife, 8 Mini-Pufts out of 10!
Watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife only in theaters November 19, 2021! See it, enjoy it and don’t miss it!
Special thanks to the Town of Fort Macleod and the staff of the Empress Theatre for setting up the event. Huge props to the Calgary Ghostbusters, the Winnipeg Ghostbusters, the Alberta Ghostbusters, Drew of Spectral Decay and BC DeLorean for bringing their Ecto-1. Very special thanks to the cast and crew of the new movie, you guys got the crowd pumped up and ready for another Ghostbusters.
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