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Movie Review: Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Mike Tyrkus

While it is less than a sequel to the 1984 Ivan Reitman film (e.g. Ghostbusters), than a continuation of the saga – if one can call it that (since there was a sequel in 1989 and an attempted reboot in 2016) – director Jason Reitman’s (Ivan’s son) film Ghostbusters: Afterlife breathes new, ahem, life into the franchise by passing the torch of busting ghosts to a new generation rather than simply retooling the property with new actors.

After a rousing preamble that capably sets the mood, single mother Callie (Carrie Coon) is shown moving to a dingy town in Oklahoma with her two children, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), to take possession of a worn-out and neglected farm left her by her recently deceased and estranged father. This is, of course, rather timely as the family has fallen on some rather difficult financial times and must now, somewhat hesitantly, embrace the change of scenery (at least to varying degrees).

Once in town, the family begins to learn of the town’s perception of their deceased relative. He’s referred to as the “Dirt Farmer” by the townsfolk and not remembered with all that much reverence. But, when Phoebe discovers the real purpose of the farm and her grandfather’s true identity, the film really finds its footing and echoes the beats of its forbearer with relish.

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”

Working from a script he cowrote with Gil Kenan, director Reitman gives the franchise a fresh new feel rather than a standard retooling. These new Ghostbusters are not just going through the motions, they are finding their way, growing into their new profession and as young adults, and that makes the story far more refreshing and entertaining than simply recasting and/or remaking the original film. Granted they are helped along a little by summer school teacher Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd) after he befriends the more than eager to discuss “real” science Phoebe, but the dynamic between all of the new members of the team is the core of the film and makes for a solid foundation for the film.

There are also a few surprises along the way for fans of the original film and, again, Ghostbusters: Afterlife does a far more admirable job of continuing the saga than either of the previous two films managed to. It is a film that will put a smile on your face and may even keep it there for longer than you expect it to.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com
An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

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