Though it made nearly $230 million on a $144 million budget, the Ghostbusters reboot was considered a flop. Combined with its mixed reception, the studio decided to cancel plans to develop a sequel. In early 2019, the studio announced a new film that would follow the events of the original two films. Original director Ivan Reitman would serve as a producer while his son Jason Reitman would be directing. Jason gained much attention in Hollywood for critical darlings like Thank You For Smoking, Juno, and Up in the Air. He was determined to make a film that respected his father’s originals while appealing to a new generation. After a 68-day shoot, the film initially had a July 2020 release planned but was delayed due to COVID-19. Following numerous delays, Ghostbusters: Afterlife finally saw its theatrical release in November of 2021.
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Synopsis
After being evicted, Callie (Carrie Coon) and her kids Phoebe (Grace Mckenna) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) move to Summerville. It turns out that Callie’s father had passed away and left them a dilapidated farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. They try making the most of their situation, Trevor getting a job at a diner and Phoebe attending summer school. While checking out the house, Phoebe and Trevor find the PKE Meter and Ecto-1, learning more about their grandfather. It turns out their grandfather was Egon Spengler, one of the Ghostbusters who mysteriously left everything behind. Phoebe learns more thanks to her teacher Gary (Paul Rudd), studying a series of earthquakes in the town. Soon enough, some paranormal activity starts happening, and there’s something bigger happening than just some earthquakes going on. Phoebe, Trevor, and her friend Podcast (Logan Kim) must save the world, but they’re going to need some help.
Review
Since the release of Ghostbusters II, people had been clamoring for another entry in the series. With this in mind and his dad was overseeing the production, Jason Reitman had to deliver to satisfy the fans. Thankfully, I’m happy to report that Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a proper follow-up that respects the original while doing something new. This one goes for something much smaller and family-focused rather than repeating the same plot similar to the reboot. Not only that, but this film does a great job introducing new characters for new audiences without alienating long-time fans. Mckenna Grace is fantastic as Phoebe, an impossibly bright 12-year-old who’s weirdly likable with her dad jokes and dry delivery. As always, Paul Rudd is funny and loveable as the kindly teacher, though he’s not in the film much. Admittedly, Logan Kim comes off slightly annoying, but I eventually warmed up to him.
Unfortunately, despite Finn Wolfhard and his love interest Celeste O’Connor giving good performances, there’s not much to their characters. Many critics have been dismissive of the film’s “fan service,” but I think the filmmakers got it just right. Rather than beating you over the head with references, this uses fan service and nostalgia to complement the story. Without going into spoilers, there’s one aspect that, if handled another way, would’ve come off as being in bad taste. Thankfully, it’s done respectfully and tugs at the heartstrings without feeling manipulative, though a moment early on made me nervous. While Jason Reitman is known for doing independent character-driven movies, he does a good job directing a big-budget blockbuster. Some pretty exciting action sequences, particularly a chase scene throughout the town, left me on the edge of my seat. Overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a worthy successor to the supernatural comedy classic.
Buy tickets to see Ghostbusters: Afterlife in theaters from Fandango: https://fandan.co/3co17VR.
