Review - Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

        Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, I just went to see the newest chapter of the Ghostbusters series: Ghostbusters: Afterlife. There's quite a bit to get through, so let's go ahead and get started. 

       We actually open the movie with the final stand, and unfortunate death, of one of the original Ghostbusters, who has set up shop in a run-down farmhouse in the rural town of Summerville, Oklahoma. Cut to some weeks later, and his daughter Callie, along with her children Trevor and Phoebe, gets evicted from their apartment, and the three are forced to move into the Summerville farmhouse. We also learn that the town is going through an unexplainable series of quakes, all eminating from the long abandoned Shandor Mines. When Phoebe and Trevor discover their familial ties to the Ghostbusters, they must suit up and finish the work their grandfather left behind. And that's all I'm willing to say, so I you want to know more, go see the movie for yourselves. 

        This movie is a major nostalgia trip for long time fans of Ghostbusters. It's absolutely clear that director Jason Reitman, son of original series director Ivan Reitman, wanted to pay tribute to the 1984 original, and introduce an entire new generation to the world of Ghostbusters. The movie also gets a lot closer to the supernatural horror element that the original had, and both Ghostbusters II and Ghostbusters (2016) were missing in favor of just diving heavily into the comedy aspect. Remember, the original Ghostbusters was a supernatural horror-comedy, so some level of actual supernatural horror is to be expected as well as the comedy. 

      The cast in this movie was fantastic. Carrie Coon was terrific as Callie, as was Paul Rudd as Mr. Grooberson. I thorough enjoyed Finn Wolfhard as Trevor, as well as others like Bokeem Woodbine as the sheriff of Summerville. But the real star of this movie was McKenna Grace as Phoebe. In truth, this is her story, and she gets the most focus. I also enjoyed the return of original Ghostbusters Bill Murray as Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Ray, and Ernie Hudson as Winston. Having them appear in the movie definitely added something special to it. On top of that, both J.K. Simmons and Olivia Wilde are in the movie, but I don't want to give away any spoilers pertaining to their characters. 

        Plot wise, the movie definitely ties into the original Ghostbusters film, and actually references how the cycle of events that occurred with the first movie repeats itself every so often, and is about to happen again with this movie. And really, it makes a lot of sense. Setting up that the events of the first film and the events of this film are part of a cycle that's repeated itself throughout history is a really unique way to continue the story from the original film. 

        The visual effects for the various ghosts and supernatural creatures are definitely top notch. The mini Stay-Puft Marshmallow guys, the Terror Dogs, the new ghost Muncher, and so much more, looked simply amazing, and didn't feel like cheesy CGI effects. There is one ghost that shows up near the end, I won't give away of whom, but if you're a long-time Ghostbusters fan, it's definitely going to bring tears to your eyes. I know it did in my case. There is also a fun mid-credits scene involving both Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver, and it's definitely worth staying for. 

       Overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a fun nostalgic romp for Ghostbusters fans, and is a definite love letter to the fans. I'm giving the movie a rating of 5/5. Anyway, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys next time. 

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