Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review

 Movie Review- Ghostbusters: Afterlife 

hello everyone!

Yesterday evening, I was browsing Netflix for a science fiction or fantasy film to watch. That's when I came across "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." I noticed that Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler in my favorite show "Stranger Things," was also in this movie. So, I decided to watch the trailer. After watching it, I was immediately hooked and decided to watch the entire movie. It was an amazing experience, and I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings about it in this blog post.

Here is the trailer for the movie "Ghostbusters: Afterlife": 

 

so, the story follows Callie (Carrie Coon), a single mother, and her two children, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace). They move to a small town in Oklahoma after inheriting a rundown farmhouse from Callie’s estranged father. Soon, they discover that their grandfather was none other than Egon Spengler, one of the original Ghostbusters. As strange things start happening in the town, the kids, along with their new friends, uncover their grandfather’s secret legacy and take on the task of saving the world from a ghostly apocalypse.

The movie begins with a thrilling chase scene where Egon Spengler is trying to capture a powerful ghost. This scene sets the tone for the movie, blending suspense with a touch of nostalgia. Egon’s efforts to contain the ghost ultimately led to his demise, but not before he manages to hide crucial ghostbusting equipment in his farmhouse.

Phoebe, the younger kid, is super smart and loves science. She's a bit awkward but in a really sweet way. Her brother Trevor is your typical teenager - he just wants to fit in and maybe get a date with the cute girl in town. Then there's this awesome teacher, Mr. Grooberson, who's all about summer school being fun (wish I had a teacher like that!). And we can't forget about this hilarious kid called Podcast who, you guessed it, has his own podcast about weird stuff happening in town.

 

One of the coolest scenes is when Phoebe is playing chess by herself (because she's that smart), and suddenly, the other chess piece starts moving on its own! It's her first real ghost encounter, and it's both creepy and exciting. You can see her mind working, trying to figure out what's happening. It's like she's half scared, half thrilled to be solving this mystery.

One of the standout scenes in the movie is when Phoebe first discovers Egon’s hidden laboratory in the old farmhouse. While the house appears to be abandoned, Phoebe finds several clues that lead her to believe there is more to this place. In a series of events that are both eerie and heartwarming, the house begins to "communicate" with her. Tools move by themselves, lights flicker, and finally, she stumbles upon Egon’s old ghost-hunting equipment, including the iconic proton pack.

This discovery sets the tone for the rest of the film. Phoebe quickly learns to use the equipment and begins piecing together her grandfather’s life and mission. The way the film subtly introduces Egon’s ghost guiding his granddaughter is both a tribute to the original character and a touching portrayal of family connection across generations.

Another awesome scene is when Trevor finds this old car in the barn - it's actually Ecto-1, the famous Ghostbusters car! He fixes it up (the kid's got skills), and there's this wild chase scene through town. Imagine an old hearse-turned-ghostbusting-mobile zooming through fields and streets, with ghost traps flying out the back. It's so much fun to watch!

One of the most fun scenes in the movie is when Trevor and Phoebe take the iconic Ecto-1 for a spin. Trevor, who is a car enthusiast, manages to get the old vehicle running. They drive through the town, testing out the ghost trap and proton pack. This scene is filled with action and humor, capturing the spirit of the original films.

 

After discovering the proton pack, Phoebe and Trevor team up with their new friends, Podcast (Logan Kim), a quirky kid obsessed with conspiracy theories and paranormal activities, and Lucky (Celeste O'Connor), a local teen who works at the diner. The group takes Egon’s old car, the iconic Ecto-1, out for a test drive, and what starts as an innocent joyride turns into a thrilling ghost chase.

The scene is packed with adrenaline as the group races through town, chasing a mischievous ghost, Muncher, who is causing havoc. The ghostbusters-in-training fumble with the equipment at first, and there’s a lot of comic relief as they try to control the unwieldy proton pack and traps. However, the excitement builds as they begin to work as a team, eventually capturing the ghost in a thrilling, action-packed sequence. This scene is not only a nod to the original Ghostbusters car chases but also a great moment that solidifies the new team's dynamic.

The scene featuring the Tiny Marshmallow Invasion in Ghostbusters: Afterlife is one of the most memorable, funny, and unexpectedly chaotic moments in the movie. It serves as a nod to the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the original Ghostbusters (1984), but with a playful and mischievous twist.

 

This scene takes place when Paul Rudd’s character, Mr. Grooberson, a local school teacher and seismologist, goes to a large chain store to pick up some supplies. As he casually walks through the aisles, the audience doesn’t initially suspect that anything out of the ordinary is about to happen.

However, as Grooberson turns down one of the aisles, he notices something bizarre and unsettling—a single Stay Puft Marshmallow bag begins to move on its own. The scene starts out innocent, but soon the marshmallows spring to life in the form of small, cute, but ultimately destructive Mini Stay Pufts.

Carrie Coon transforms into Zuul

Before Coon is transformed into a demonic dog, it isn't clear how many beats from "Ghostbusters" Jason Reitman plans on repurposing. Admittedly, the reemergence of Zuul is something of a disappointment when compared to the film's original creatures. But when the Spengler children burst into their grandfather's home to find their mother frozen stiff, only able to whisper, "There is no mother, only Zuul"? The hairs on my neck went straight to standing.

Coon effortlessly shifts from a caring parent to a frightening heavy in the span of six words. It's a brief but awesome transformation, and one that reveals that Carrie Coon is, in fact, a master of her craft.

Egon’s Ghost

One of the most emotional moments in the movie comes during the final battle when Phoebe struggles to hold the proton beam steady against Gozer. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, the ghost of Egon appears to help his granddaughter. While Egon doesn’t speak, his presence is enough to convey a deep, heartfelt connection. It’s a powerful tribute to Harold Ramis, who passed away in 2014, and a beautiful way to include him in the film.

Seeing Egon’s ghost stand side by side with his old friends as they defeat Gozer once and for all is a moment that resonates deeply with fans of the original films. It’s a touching reminder that while people may be gone, their legacy lives on.

The Emotional Reunion

After Gozer is defeated, there’s a brief but emotional reunion between Egon’s ghost and the original Ghostbusters. They don’t need to say much, but their expressions convey the deep bond they shared with their old friend. The fact that Egon stayed behind in spirit to protect the world, even after his death, speaks to his commitment and loyalty to his team.

 

As Phoebe steps forward to battle Gozer, struggling to control her proton beam, the film delivers its most emotional moment. The spirit of Egon Spengler appears to help his granddaughter. Although Egon never speaks, his ghostly presence is enough to convey the deep connection between the generations. His spectral hand steadies Phoebe’s proton gun, and together, they aim at Gozer, delivering a powerful blast that weakens the god.

The rest of the Spengler family and the original Ghostbusters join forces to finally trap Gozer. Egon’s ghost works silently alongside his old team and family, ensuring that the plan works. His presence is a beautiful tribute to Harold Ramis, who passed away in 2014. The scene serves as both an emotional goodbye to Egon and a nod to the character’s importance in the Ghostbusters universe.

Emotional Farewell to Egon

After Gozer is finally defeated and trapped, Egon’s ghost stays for a brief but powerful moment with his family and friends. The original Ghostbusters exchange knowing looks with their old friend, understanding the sacrifice he made to protect the world, while Phoebe and Trevor share an emotional goodbye with their grandfather.

Perhaps the most moving part of this scene is when Egon silently embraces his daughter, Callie. Throughout the movie, Callie had felt abandoned by her father, not understanding why he left his family. In this final moment, she realizes that Egon had been fighting a great battle to protect them and the world from Gozer. Their wordless reunion is filled with emotion, as Egon finally receives the forgiveness and connection with his daughter that had been missing for so long.

Egon’s ghost eventually fades into the night sky, but not before leaving behind a sense of closure and peace for his family and friends. The words “For Harold” appear on the screen, a tribute to Harold Ramis and his legacy in the Ghostbusters franchise.

All in all, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a total blast. It's got action, laughs, a bit of romance, and just the right amount of scares. The kids in the movie are great actors, and they really make you care about what happens to them. Plus, seeing all the cool ghost-catching gadgets in action is just awesome.

If you're looking for a movie that'll make you laugh, jump a little, and maybe even cry (in a good way), then you've got to see Ghostbusters: Afterlife. It's perfect for a family movie night or hanging out with friends. Trust me, you'll leave the theater with a big smile on your face, humming that famous Ghostbusters theme song.

Thank you!!