Those who raised their brows for the 2016 all-female remake may find the same disappointment with this new take, but there are a few lovely charms to indulge with.
Sony Pictures
Actors: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Logan Kim, Celeste O’Connor, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Sigourney Weaver
Genre: Action, Comedy
Premise: When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Running Time: 124 minutes
Director: Jason Reitman
Why You Should See It:
Nostalgia is alive in this sequel to the ‘80s blockbuster, albeit coming just six years on the heels of a so-so all-female remake. Academy Awards and Golden Globe-nominated Jason Reitman takes the reins from his father, Ivan, who helmed the original films.
The young Reitman tries to establish his own identity in this effort to stretch the well-loved franchise a mile further, and while he [obviously] fails to meet expectations, what he manages to accomplish is no less fascinating.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife follows events a few decades after the original films. Financially-struggling mom Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon) discovers that she inherited a farm and a farmhouse from his father Egon Spengler. She moves there right away with her children to escape the burden of paying debts, but she finds there may be bigger problems to confront. Her scientifically-inclined daughter, Phoebe (McKenna Grace) learns that their new house is haunted and starts looking for clues that would lead her to Egon’s ‘Ghostbusting’ past.
Afterlife is both a reboot and a sequel. It’s a return to the old films with nostalgic references being dropped from time to time, but it is also a modern take with certain upgrades introduced to deliver a fresh, frenetic vibe. Perhaps, this will be harder to appreciate for those who have seen the first two films, but kids and moviegoers from the current generation will most likely dig the rebranded charming appeal.
Letting the new character take the reins of the story feels like a wise, and frankly, an excellent choice, although it’s the direct references to the Ivan Reitman’s classic that truly makes it a nostalgic ride.
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Watch the official full trailer, below:
