Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) is a supernatural comedy directed by Jason Reitman, the son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman. The film serves as both a sequel to the original Ghostbusters films from the 1980s and a reboot, introducing a new generation of characters while paying homage to the original cast and storylines.

Overview:

• Director: Jason Reitman
• Starring: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson
• Release Date: November 19, 2021
• Genre: Supernatural Comedy, Sci-fi, Adventure

Plot Summary:

The story centers on Callie (Carrie Coon) and her two children, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), who move to a small, dilapidated farmhouse in rural Summerville, Oklahoma, after being evicted from their home. The farmhouse was left to them by Callie’s estranged father, who is revealed to be none other than Egon Spengler (played by Harold Ramis in the original Ghostbusters). Egon had become a recluse before his death, and the town of Summerville has been experiencing strange seismic activities, despite not being near any fault lines.

As the kids explore their new home, Phoebe, a science prodigy, discovers a hidden trove of ghostbusting equipment, including proton packs and ghost traps. It soon becomes clear that Egon was keeping a dark secret, and Summerville is at the center of a potential apocalyptic event involving supernatural forces.

With the help of their new friend Podcast (Logan Kim), their teacher Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd), and Egon’s old ghostbusting equipment, Trevor and Phoebe take up the mantle of the Ghostbusters to stop a new wave of ghostly activity. Along the way, they encounter familiar faces from the original Ghostbusters team, including Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), who return to help confront the looming supernatural threat.

Themes and Exploration:

• Legacy and Family: One of the core themes of Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the idea of legacy, both familial and cultural. Phoebe and Trevor must come to terms with the legacy of their grandfather, Egon Spengler, whose ghostbusting career and obsession with the supernatural estranged him from his family. The film also pays tribute to the legacy of the original Ghostbusters franchise, with many callbacks to the original films, including famous quotes, gadgets, and ghostly villains.
• Science and the Supernatural: The film continues the tradition of blending science with the supernatural, with Phoebe’s character embodying Egon’s intellectual curiosity and scientific approach to the paranormal. Her scientific prowess and problem-solving abilities become key to solving the mystery of Summerville’s supernatural phenomena.
• Nostalgia: Ghostbusters: Afterlife leans heavily on nostalgia, not only in its visual and narrative callbacks to the original films but also in the return of familiar characters and elements like the Ecto-1 car, proton packs, and Slimer-like ghosts. For fans of the original movies, the film offers a sentimental reunion with beloved characters and iconic moments.

Characters:

• Phoebe (Mckenna Grace): The film’s protagonist, Phoebe is a socially awkward but brilliant young girl with a natural talent for science and mechanics. Her discovery of her grandfather’s ghostbusting legacy sets her on a path to becoming a Ghostbuster herself.
• Trevor (Finn Wolfhard): Phoebe’s older brother, Trevor, is more concerned with fitting in at his new school and impressing a local girl. However, he also plays an important role in restoring the Ecto-1 and joining the fight against the supernatural forces.
• Callie (Carrie Coon): Phoebe and Trevor’s single mother, Callie, has a complicated relationship with her father, Egon, whom she believes abandoned her. Throughout the film, she comes to understand and appreciate Egon’s mission.
• Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd): A local teacher and seismologist who becomes intrigued by the strange earthquakes in Summerville. He helps Phoebe and Trevor unravel the mystery of the town’s paranormal activity and acts as a link between the kids and the original Ghostbusters lore.
• The Original Ghostbusters (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson): The surviving members of the original Ghostbusters return for a significant cameo, helping the new generation in their battle against the supernatural. Their appearance is both nostalgic and pivotal to the climax of the film.

Visuals and Tone:

The film balances humor and supernatural horror, much like the original Ghostbusters films. While it introduces new, younger characters to appeal to a new audience, it remains firmly rooted in the tone of the 1980s franchise, with plenty of comedic moments mixed with ghostly action sequences. The special effects for the ghosts, while updated with modern CGI, retain the playful yet eerie aesthetic of the original movies, with notable appearances from classic ghosts like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (in a new form) and other familiar supernatural creatures.

Reception:

Ghostbusters: Afterlife received generally positive reviews, particularly from fans of the original franchise. Critics praised the performances, especially Mckenna Grace’s portrayal of Phoebe, and the film’s nostalgic nods to the past. Some felt that the movie leaned too heavily on nostalgia, but others appreciated the respectful tribute to Harold Ramis and the original cast. The film was also noted for successfully passing the torch to a younger generation while staying true to the spirit of the original films.

Conclusion:

Ghostbusters: Afterlife successfully revitalizes the franchise by blending old and new elements, offering a heartfelt tribute to the original Ghostbusters while introducing a new cast of characters for future installments. With its mix of nostalgia, humor, and supernatural thrills, the film serves as both a continuation of the original story and a fresh start for a new generation of ghostbusters.