Film Review: Ghostbusters Afterlife

  Genre: Action / comedy / fantasy

Cert:12A

Director: Jason Reitman

Screenwriter: (written by) Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman, (based on the 1984 film "Ghostbusters" an Ivan Reitman film) Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

Starring: Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Logan Kim, Celeste O'Connor, Annie Potts, Oliver Cooper, Sydney Mae Diaz, Marlon Kazadi, Bokeem Woodbine, Sarah Natochenny, Paulina Alexis, Paul Rudd, Shelby Young.

Running time: 2h 4m

Parents advised reading before viewing the film as some scenes may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: Verbal references to "virgin sacrifices"

Violence & Gore: Frequent slapstick depictions of supernatural violence with decent realistic CGI.

Profanity: 2 uses of "shit" and use of "damn"

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: none

Frightening/Intense Scenes: While the original was more comedy, this film has a very creepy tone, that has two jump scenes that may frighten, younger audiences. so discretion is advised

Story: 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 when the town they move to sudden beings to have mysterious earthquakes, that have dire consequences if not stopped. 

Likes: Since 1985, fans have been waiting for a new ghostbusters movie to take on the universe theme expanding into a younger generation of ghostbusters film's with a much younger team, but in 2016 we were introduced to a film that felt more like an SNL show in the form of a ghostbusters movie that just pissed off a lot of original fans, it flopped leaving the franchise in limbo. 

That was until we got the news that Jason Reitman is producing a ghostbusters 3 movie called afterlife, which I got the chance to watch today, I'll be honest there are thing I liked but there was one scene I had an issue with but it wasn't a deal-breaker for the film to be bad.

What I will say is that while the original film was more comedy, ghostbusters afterlife has this very creepy undertone, making it more of a dark horror than comedy, yes the creepy tone worked because it even gave me chills in certain moments throughout the film, with the creepy cold chill down my spine, even made me Jump twice.

While yes the film is predictable you can see where it going, the film does have a few surprises up its shelves, especially toward the End, I'm not gonna lie, I choked up and cried my eyes out, while I won't give Spoilers of that moment, let me just say the moment will make you cry especially if you a ghostbusters fan.

The two main stars that truly stood out were Logan Kim with his comic moments throughout the film, that kind of reminded me of a younger future Venkman if they do more ghostbusters films with him, yes the film in a way kind of does set up future films.

Holy hell Mckenna Grace, her performance in this film truly stood out as the granddaughter of Egon, showing just how Brave she was in two moments of this film one in a very dangerous, and somewhat moment some might say was really stupid but brave, but her performance was outstanding and believable that she has a bright career in any future ghostbusters movies

Paul Rudd & Carrie Coon bring something special to this film, that just adds those moments to break up moments through the film, about the bond of family, with paul rudd bringing a nerdy side to science following all the earthquakes and a big fan of the ghostbusters with the new york events.

The special effects were on point with practical effect with CGI blended in the right way, really adding to the creepy and somewhat funny moments, as seen in the Trailer with the Gremlin style slapstick moment of the mini marshmallow men, along with the terror dogs being both practical with CGI effects it's actually hard to notice at times.

While the film is good, it does however fall light in the third half of the film recalling the first film event, which I will say could've been done differently, which is why it lead to a moment that I personally felt could've been left for another film or could've been used right in this third half, but the pay off was still Quailly give the payoff to the moment I cried my eyes out.

So the real Question is ghostbusters Afterlife good? Ultimately Yes it's far superior to the 2016 ghostbusters and it pays respect to a certain thing that I can mention due to spoilers, so yes this is the Ghostbusters we Deserve and a Recommended film to watch on the big screen. I can see this franchise handed into extreme ghostbusters movie with a younger team. Two end credit scenes one before credit roll, the most important one after credit will surprise you. 




Dislikes: I have things which I didn't like and felt a little lazy which could have been used better or used for another film which takes place in the mine, I feel if that went in a different direction that would've made the film a hell of a lot better.  

To be honest, there were two characters in the film that felt like they were the weakness in the film, didn't really need to be in it because they really didn't have that much to do, which if they were written out wouldn't have affected the film in any way, because it felt like Finn Wolfhard polt point thought the film was to just drive the Ecto 1,  Celeste O'Connor just felt like her role was just to be a small love interest to carry the film forward. 

But other than that I was Overall pleased with this film being a good film, that respects the franchise. 

Overall: Spine chilling, dark, funny at times, respect the franchises. i believe fans will be happy. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 for Entertainment / 8.9 out of 10 For a Third film