Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Star Rating:
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the third installment in the Ghostbusters trilogy, taking place many years after Ghostbusters II. It focuses primarily on new characters, but has numerous references to the other two movies. In this review, I’ll go into more detail while still attempting to avoid spoilers for anyone who hasn’t watched the film yet.
Although the characters are new, they are very likable. Without spoiling anything, they are related to the original Ghostbusters in some way. Phoebe, a young nerdy girl, is the main character. She’s smart and funny. She makes ridiculous nerdy jokes that are unfunny to the others in the movie, but the jokes are actually rather funny, and the actress does a wonderful job of delivering them. Paul Rudd also provides some amusing comic relief, as one would expect from the actor.
This film has numerous Easter eggs from the original movies. They do an excellent job of mixing nostalgia in while introducing a new group of Ghostbusters to the franchise. It has a good balance of new and old. The references are well-placed, with some originality to them to match this particular movie.
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is one specific example I’ll offer you because it’s been in the trailers. The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is a reference to the first movie, but Ghostbusters: Afterlife does more than just bring in a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to reference it. Instead, they change it and use it as a reference to create a really great, funny scene.
The movie’s mood is great. It feels similar to the original films. We think of Ghostbusters as a comedy, which it is, but it also incorporates horror. When the first Ghostbusters movie was released, the ghosts scared kids, especially the one in the library. The effects may no longer frighten us, but there’s a darker tone while still being a comedy.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife accomplishes the same thing. The majority of the movie is a comedy, but there’s a hint of creepy suspense to it. You’re left wondering when a ghost will appear. The beginning feels a tad slow sometimes. It took a little longer to bring in any ghosts than I thought the movie would, but it’s understandable since they were introducing new characters.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife resembles the original Ghostbusters in appearance and feel. It does a great job of respecting the franchise and its long-time fans. I’m sure every Ghostbusters fan would have preferred a third film long ago, that would have had the original Ghostbusters more, but this movie does a fantastic job after so many years. It’s fun and enjoyable to watch. It’s a good movie, and fans of the Ghostbusters franchise will enjoy it. I definitely recommend watching it.
You can get Ghostbusters: Afterlife from Amazon.
Check out some of my other movie reviews.
What did you think of Ghostbusters: Afterlife? Let me know in the comments.