Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

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This was one of those movies that came along and made me fully realize how incredibly loyal its fan base is, unless we're talking about the 2016 version, which provided, shall we say, mixed emotions. But at the end of the day, I consider it non-canonical, a fair attempt at a re-imagining, but still not my Ghostbusters. Nevertheless, upon its release, critics weren't big on it, but fans (including myself) enjoyed it for what it was. This kind of establishes that 'Ghostbusters' movies are far more fan-driven projects, and to some degree, I can respect that.

However, for as much as I don't terribly mind it, I can understand where so many critics come from, as this wasn't something I'd dub "perfect" by any means, and I say that as a huge fan of 'Ghostbusters' (remember, the original is my favourite movie of all time). So I will do my best to look at it from every angle, both critically and as a die-hard fan. I can, however, say quite honestly that as time passes, the more I watch this chapter of the 'Ghostbusters' saga, the more I appreciate it, and the more I can wrap my head around some of my criticisms and use my imagination to fill in the blanks.

We open things here 30-someodd years after the events of 'Ghostbusters II', where we meet Egon Spengler's estranged family; daughter, Callie (Carrie Coon), and grandkids, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard). While Trevor is a bit more what one would consider a "normal" teenager, Phoebe largely takes after her grandfather - not only in the ways of science, but she has his dry sense of humour and general attitude as well. Really, she kinda carries the movie, and to me, is pretty much perfect casting for who we'd imagine Egon's granddaughter to be.

They family learns of Egon's passing, and further find out that the only inheritance he left them was a creepy old farm house in the middle of a quaint little town called Summerville - home to the Shandor mining operations. This is a callback to the first film which mentions a lunatic architect, Ivo Shandor, who once headed the cult of Gozer; Gozer, of course, being the big baddie from the first film. Thankfully, however, this isn't just fan service, and is all part of the big story, making 'Afterlife' the true spiritual sequel to the 1984 film. Yes, there's a 'Ghostbusters II', but the story in that has no tie-ins with the original.

Getting back into it, Phoebe ends up taking a summer science course, "taught" by seismologist, Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd), whose method of teaching is basically to throw on a horror movie for the kids who don't wanna be there. Phoebe also meets "Podcast" (Logan Kim), who quickly becomes her lab partner. Meanwhile, Trevor meets a waitress named Lucky (Celeste O'Connor), by applying for a job at the diner she works at, in an attempt to get to know her better. Soon, Phoebe meets Egon's ghost, who guides her on how to use Ghostbusting equipment, necessary to continue his work, which is ultimately preventing the end of the world.

As a critic, I would say there were some things that either weren't needed, or should have had some better explanation; namely, the mini marshmallow men, who make it abundantly clear that they're there for a laugh in the same way 'Dispicable Me' minions are. And while they are adorable, it quite honestly does feel like a cheap way to get an "aww". There's also a moment or two here that make one wonder about some of the characters' stupidity, like Gruberson opening a ghost trap just to see what's inside. But even with any crtiicisms I have for the film, I also fall under the categry of "fanboy", and there's a lot here for people like me.

On the whole, there's a huge nostalia factor here that works out really nicely for us hardcores. It even goes right down to a Nestle Crunch wrapper in Egon's old suit's pocket JUST because Peter gave one to Egon in the first film. It's a great title for 'Ghostbusters' nostalgia, and a loving, even somewhat tear-jerking tribute to the late, great Harold Ramis. Criticisms aside, there's a lot of heart put into this, and writer/director Jason Reitman has managed to fill his father Ivan's shoes quite nicely.

4/5

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