Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a 2021 American supernatural comedy film directed by Jason Reitman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gil Kenan. The movie is a sequel to Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, which were both released in the 1980s. The movie is the latest in the fan-service nostalgia driven franchise soft reboot trend that Hollywood has been lazily indulging in of late.
The film stars Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Bokeem Woodbine, Paul Rudd, Logan Kim and Celeste O’Connor, while Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver reprise their roles from the original films.
The story of Ghostbusters: Afterlife begins over thirty years after the events of the original films with a seemingly simple premise viz. 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. (IMDB)
Now, there’s quite a lot to criticise regarding the thin plot of Ghostbusters: Afterlife with alarming gaps in that thirty year period which is inadequately explained in the movie. Considering the pedigree of the writers, it is surprising that instead of granting fans an engaging plot line, Reitman and Kenan chose instead to lean heavily on fan-service nostalgia.
READ OUR REVIEW OF THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS.
Although the new cast (and characters) are by and large excellent throughout, the manner in which these very young characters effectively pick up the Ghostbusters tricks of the trade is too easy and convenient and thus, barely believable. Sure, it’s a fun comedy but still, the suspension of disbelief must be maintained as far as possible! The action sequences and visual effects provide spectacular eye candy but there is no getting rid of the nagging suspicion that nothing makes any sense whatsoever.
Sad to report that like the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Matrix Resurrections, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a bit of a turkey and should only be watched with the lowest expectations and for the sake of nostalgia alone. Hopefully, there won’t be a sequel!
Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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