After Paul Feig’s controversial “Ghostbusters” reboot failed to recoup its expenses at the box office, Sony announced they scrapped plans for a sequel in favor of a direct follow-up to the original first two movies and 2009 video game. This time focusing on Egon Spengler’s grandkids, Trevor & Phoebe. Set in Oklahoma, the pair take over their grandfather’s legacy. They’re first mission is to finish what Egon started. Ivan Reitman’s son, Jason takes over the director’s chair directing the fourth installment (I consider the 2009 game as the third entry) known as, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
Released in 2021, (same year Demon Slayer: Mugen Train came out) it received positive reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. It managed to generate revenue at the box office. As you may know, a follow-up, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will be released shortly on March 22, 2024. It’s one of my most anticipated films of 2024. Now that I’m caught up rewatching all movies and video game, I wanna share my thoughts on Afterlife.
This review contains no SPOILERS.
Alive & Dead Qualities
Alive: Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon & Paul Rudd all did a superb job for their respective performances.
OG Cast from the first two movies including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts & Sigourney Weaver reprise their roles. They all did a great job for their respective performances.
Jason Reitman takes over his dad’s directing duty.
Ivan Reitman served as a producer.
Rob Simonsen (The Whale, Stranger Things: Season 4, Deadpool and Wolverine) orchestrated the soundtrack taking cues from Elmer Bernstein’s score from the first movie.
Humor retains the first two movies’ tone balancing seriousness and comedy.
Callbacks to the first two entries. Meaning, Paul Feig’s horrendous disaster is not canon.
Chemistry between, Trevor, Phoebe, Podcast & Mr. Grooberson serves as the main highlight. Their interactions move the story forward.
I was worried Phoebe was gonna be depicted as a know-it-all who thinks men are dumb and women are smarter stereotype. She’s a well-written strong female character done right. Like her grandfather, Phoebe uses her intellect to help her family and new friends. Mr. Feig if you’re reading this? This is how you write a female character who isn’t obnoxious and loud. Does Leslie Jones ring any bells? I hated her character, Patty.
Mr. Grooberson provides comic relief. He isn’t a dumb male stereotype like Chris Hemsworth’s character, Kevin. I’m sick and tired of this offensive caricature portrayed in other movies including Poe Dameron in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. They done Oscar Issac dirty.
A mix of Practical Effects & Visual Effects were used carefully. At least the ghosts didn’t glow in the 2016 reboot.
Without giving too much away, one scene honors Harold Ramis’ memory. Thankfully, it’s not done in bad taste.
Josh Gad provides the voice of a blue ghost named, Muncher. He eats solid objects.
J.K. Simmons makes a brief appearance.
A Post-Credits Scene sets up Frozen Empire.
The theme song’s played during the End Credits.
Dead: The original characters lack screentime. It would’ve been nice if they help the new characters as mentors. Like Rocky Balboa passing the torch to Adonis Creed.
Afterlife’s third act kinda rehashes the first movie with Gozer as the villain.
Olivia Wilde portrays Gozer. I lost my respect for her. She’s nothing, but a diabolical bitch. Why? Because she never apologized to Florence Pugh while filming “Don’t Worry Darling.” Olivia booted Shia LaBeouf on set and mistreated Florence. I condemn Jason Sudeikis’ ex-wife for not saying she’s sorry. Stanley Kubrick apologized to Shelley Duvall during filming of “The Shining.” He only provoked her to unleash her acting potential. Olivia, however, is one crazy bitch.
I know Rick Moranis retired from acting, but his character, Louis Tully was never mentioned. What happened to him after he helped the OG crew defeat Vigor?
The Final Verdict: B-
Unlike the 2016 reboot, Ghostbusters: Afterlife does the series justice. Despite a few blemishes, I’m open to see Frozen Empire with the old and new characters together. Scrap Gozer in favor of an original antagonist. Paul Feig wishes he can make a good Ghostbusters movie. If you haven’t got a chance to see Afterlife, give it a watch.
Rest in Peace Harold Ramis & Ivan Reitman. Your legacies will never be forgotten.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 