Running Time. 2 hours 4 mins
Director. Jason Reitman
Cast. Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Logan Kim, Celeste O'Connor, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard.
Rating. 78%
As a result of the 2016 car-crash reboot of Ghostbusters I was more than a little apprehensive about the prospect of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. After all, Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters was part of my teenage years. I grew up with Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and Zeddemore. I knew who to call.
However, the theatrical trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife piqued my interest...
I needn't have worried. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is an endearing film, resonating warmth and charm. One of the main reasons for this is the sensitive means director, Jason Reitman integrates the original characters and storyline into the plot of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Hardly surprising, as his father, Ivan Reitman directed the original Ghostbusters - not a legacy any son wants to mess around with.
The other reason is the character portrayal. Carrie Coon effortlessly conveys the bitter, abandoned daughter, Callie, but it is two young actors who steal the show - Mckenna Grace and Logan Kim. The former, in particular, delivers an exceptional performance as the intelligent but awkward Phoebe, granddaughter of Egon Spengler. In some ways, the 15-year-old carries the entire film, and I suspect audiences will see a lot more of Mckenna Grace in years to come.
Personally, I would have liked to see more encounters with ghosts throughout the film and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow men were an unwelcome inclusion. These are minor gripes.
For me, Ghostbusters: Afterlife serves as nostalgia. Beautifully handled by Jason Reitman, the film reminds audiences that the people we love are always with us.
You can't hate Stay-Puft
ReplyDeleteI can.
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