Ghostbusters: Afterlife — Movie Review
by KJ Proulx
The original Ghostbusters has been a movie I’ve enjoyed for quite some time now. It wasn’t a movie I ever grew up watching but ended up watching it much later on and still really enjoy it to this day. I’m not too big on Ghostbusters 2, but it has grown on me a little. For these reasons, hearing that they were going to continue the legacy of these two movies with Ghostbusters: Afterlife made me very curious, but I wasn’t eagerly awaiting it or anything. I’m very happy that I went out to give it a chance though because it was just a joy. Sure, it feels very familiar at times, but it also does its own thing at the same time. Here’s why I believe Ghostbusters: Afterlife should be seen and will please fans and newcomers.
Picking up decades after the events of the first two films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife follows Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) as siblings and grandchildren to one of the original characters, Egon. They, along with their mother, move into Egon’s house after his passing, inheriting all of his belongings. Stumbling upon certain devices and noticing some new seismic activity in their area, this film pretty much goes from feeling like Stranger Things to feeling just like Ghostbusters did in the 80s. I thought the feel of this film felt very modern, while also having classic moments that felt incredibly nostalgic in a good way. There’s a lot of nostalgia on display here but I truly felt that most of it was done in the best way possible. I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this film.
Where some people will likely not enjoy this film too much though is how similar it feels to the original film at times. Throughout the third act there are times where it felt like it was repeating the same story beats, but again, I’m just glad it worked for the movie. Yes, it feels familiar, but it also cares about telling its own story for the majority of it. Fans will undoubtedly get a kick out of the finale and some may even tear up, as I did, with how they choose to explore/display certain things. If for nothing else. Ghostbusters: Afterlife absolutely has its heart in the right place.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Jason Reitman was at the helm as director this time around. Being the son of Ivan Reitman (who directed the first two films), it’s very clear, as he has even stated himself, that this was a love letter to his father’s work. It very much feels like a new story that just so happens to take place in the Ghostbusters universe. Although he mimics moments from his father’s films, it’s done tastefully and pays most of these moments off. I never found myself annoyed with the amount of fan service with this movie.
Overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is too familiar at times to call it a great movie, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I loved watching it from beginning to end. The blend of new and old and even down to the moments where practical effects were utilized, just felt right. I could sit here and complain about how it’s basically a remake, reboot, and sequel all at the same time, but I would hate to do that because it’s one of the best examples of a movie like that I’ve seen in a while. It knows it’s treading familiar waters and it just runs with it and has a blast doing so. There wasn’t a moment where I felt bored or overwhelmed with nostalgia. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the prime example of how to properly bank on nostalgia.
Rating: 3.5/5
Check out the trailer below:
