'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' film review: Yes, bustin' still feels good
The comedy 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' (opening in theaters nationwide Nov. 19) is a pure nostalgic delight that puts a teen spin on the familiar battle against the supernatural.
In short: When single mom Callie (Carrie Coon) and her two kids Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) move into their grandfather's old farm house, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
'Afterlife' acts as a sequel deeply tied to the 1984 original 'Ghostbusters' film, while tacitly acknowledging the existence of the 1989 sequel. The main takeaway from 'Ghostbusters II' was that - despite saving Manhattan from ghosts and a 100-foot tall marshmallow man - the Ghostbusters and their feats were promptly forgotten. And not much has changed - even Phoebe declares that she doesn't believe in ghosts. A rewatch of the original movie ensures the audience doesn't miss all the many nods to the original, while it's perfectly OK to skip 'Ghostbusters II.'
While Egon's grandchildren rediscover his work, director Jason Reitman also admirably picks up where his father left off with the 'Ghostbusters'. Like the original, this 2021 update is a great mix of character comedy and supernatural intrigue -- while adding some coming-of-age anxiety. Jason Reitman's update has a genuine feeling of discovery as the kids learn about the heroics of their grandfather and the audience learns more about what Egon was up to in the decades-long gap. The 'Juno' director adds a youthful wonder to the long-awaited sequel.
'Afterlife' is one big love letter to Egon Spengler as well as beloved comedian Harold Ramis, who passed away in 2014. And despite the passing of Ramis, Egon casts a long shadow over the entire story - which Egon thrown front and center in the film's spine-tingling opening. His neglect as a parent sours Callie anytime the subject of her estranged father comes up. Socially awkward Phoebe finally finds a kindred spirit. The way he abruptly abandoned his life in New York to become the eccentric, small town 'Dirt Farmer' seemingly alienated the quirky scientist from everyone who ever knew him.
If the script's story beats feel familiar, it's because 'Afterlife' borders on derivative from the original film's plot. Technically speaking, even the maligned 2016 Paul Feig-directed version had the same basic plot. And this bleeds down to the cast. Mckenna Grace absolutely channels a young, female version of Egon Spengler - a character who was hilarious without telling any jokes. This is very much Grace's movie and she puts this sequel on her back. Her new summer school friend Podcast is essentially just a young Ray Stantz, complete with his detailed knowledge of the paranormal.
Playful homages are fun - but 'Afterlife' really pushes the fan service pretty aggressively here. Yes there's a Twinkie. Yes Ecto-1 shows up again. Some of these nods make sense - others feel forced. It's genuinely pretty great to hear the hum of the proton pack and the wail of the iconic vehicle's siren again. The best example of fan service gone a bit too far occurs when a jail inmate asks to make their one phone call. So of course the officer asks "Who are you gonna call?," which is followed-up by old clips from the Ghostbusters TV commercial as the phone is dialed. From an execution standpoint, this is excessive.
The fact that the 'Afterlife' plot so closely mirrors the 1984 original movie and all the excessive fan service doesn't take away from the movie's intrinsic charm. One of the overlooked aspects of the original film is that the Ghostbusters themselves ... aren't really heroes. They're unconventional entrepreneurs cashing in on all the ghosts running around New York City who unwittingly saved the day - whereas Phoebe and Podcast arise to the occasion and infuse the movie with excitement and enthusiasm. 'Afterlife' doesn't reinvent the wheel - but the winsome characters add a new ingredient to the franchise: genuine heroism.
Without dropping any spoilers here - but the third act culminates in a moment that will either endear itself to the audience ... or put the audience off. There's not a lot of grey area here - either it's a sweet nod or it's borderline distasteful. For what it's worth, this movie's choice puts a nice bow on the story, wrapping up the original Ghostbuster's legacy as well as brings some closure to characters who needed it. The cameos are nice and the old, beloved characters don't overstay their welcome. That said, Janine's (Annie Potts) cameo feels the least natural.
Final verdict: 'Afterlife' works best for anyone who adores the original and totally embraces its third-act choice - but risks turning off anyone who might find the film too nostalgic or derivative.
Score: 3/5
'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' opens in theaters Nov. 19. This drama has a runtime of 124 minutes is rated PG-13 for supernatural action and some suggestive references.
