Ghostbusters are perhaps one of the most well-known franchises of comedy-horror. With the famous song by Ray Parker Jr, the movie’s incredible comedic cast, including Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, and its 80s pop-culture references like Twinkies, the Ghostbusters are loved by all. But perhaps the most strange part of this franchise is that out of the three movies made, the original 1984 flick is the only one best received by the critics and audiences alike. It has been many years since we have seen a proper squeal that all audiences, new and old, can enjoy. Thankfully, Ghostbusters: Afterlife helps break the curse.
The synopsis of Ghostbusters: Afterlife is as follows: 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. The original movies were directed by Ivan Reitman, with his son Jason Reitman directing Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This was important to the film as it allowed for the legacy of the original films to carry on into this movie, which masterfully pays homage to the original and creates something memorable for new audiences to enjoy. For one, the acting is very enjoyable. McKenna Grace does a great job at being the primary protagonist going through the movie and discovering the legacy of the Ghostbusters and who her grandfather was. Finn Wolfhard does great as always, and so does newcomer Logan Kim, who surprisingly does a good job at handling both comedy and serious scenes. But perhaps the main stand-out of the movie is Paul Rudd, who brings his best in elevating every scene he is in, with one standing out in particular. Ghostbusters: Afterlife also does a satisfying job at referencing the original films. Unlike Ghostbusters 2016, which was a complete reboot and forgot about the original films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a direct sequel, and respects the legacy of what the Ghostbusters meant to fans and the people behind the movies alike. This movie is heartfelt and has some of the best ending battles I have seen this year. If I had any flaws, it would be that this movie would’ve probably done better in a bigger setting versus being in the middle of nowhere and that this movie would have been better to watch around Halloween, but overall I had a great time watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
I highly recommend you see this movie over the holidays, as it is still playing in theaters and is worth the watch. I am going to give Ghostbusters: Afterlife an A-. Thank you as always for reading my reviews, and of course, have a great rest of your day!