Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Now just a footnote in history, it’s been 37 years since the Ghostbusters saved Manhattan, subsequently all of the team have since disappeared into the tapestry of life; but, when financially challenged Callie (Carrie Coon) and her two kids Trevor and Phoebe (Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace) learn of an inheritance of their family estate in the midwest, it’s wagon’s ho! Upon arrival in Oklahoma, the family quickly discover their recently deceased and estranged Father/Grandfather was more than just a paranormal eccentric, he was in fact Egon Spengler, founding member of the Ghostbusters– more importantly, up until recently he had been continuing his research and work into the paranormal. Now with a strange darkness looming, it’s apparent it will take the next generation to save the world…again. 
Written by Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman, and Dan Aykroyd and Directed by Jason Reitman, this nostalgia driven revisitation to the world of Ghostbusters comes with oodles of ectoplasmic reminiscence holding true to the original designs, FX, scoring, and concepts put forth in Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters from 1984; a risky and challenging move in attempting to placate the fans of the franchise without overdoing it and without alienating newcomers at the same time, to that end, success, mostly. With the majority of the film riding on the young cast’s shoulders, Reitman does effectively transition from old guard to new while keeping the flavors and traditions the same, consider that for a win as the new proves they’re ready to hold down the fort. Oddly enough, it’s when the original cast members reprise their roles that the film loses strength and steam, too much kitsch to finish the spell perhaps. Regardless, there’s still plenty to enjoy, just don’t cross the streams and look into the trap. oh, and by the way, stay through all the credits….all of them. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13.