Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review

Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie posterSynopsis
When Phoebe (McKenna) and her family learn of her grandfather’s passing, they move to his home in Summerville, Oklahoma. When Phoebe learns about her grandfather’s work, she must pick up where he left off and stop the impending apocalypse.

Review
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is Hollywood’s latest attempt to create a sequel to a popular franchise decades later, this time it’s fan favorite supernatural comedy, Ghostbusters. I will say that it is one of the better examples of how to create a follow-up film many years later; paying homage to what came before while building its own identity. With the passing of Harold Ramis years ago, he obviously could not be in this film. The way his character of Egon was handled in this film pays respect to the character (and Harold himself) in a heartwarming way. As a Ghostbusters film and starring Paul Rudd, you can be sure to expect plenty of laughs. In that regard, the film did not disappoint. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times throughout the movie.

However, the overall pace of Ghostbusters: Afterlife felt slow as it tries to tie into the previous films and characters while building up towards the final showdown. It’s not that it was bad, it’s just that it didn’t feel that exciting. The ending was the best part but before that, not was relatively slow, and not in the good, deliberate way. Nonetheless, I am not turned off from these new characters completely and would enjoy another outing with them. I’m always interested to see how a younger generation picks up the reins and I think that the franchise could be in good hands with Mckenna Grace and Fin Wolfhard.

I thought Ghostbusters: Afterlife was OK 😐 If you are a fan of the original Ghostbusters films, there are plenty of homages and respect given to those films, while at the same time introducing a new generation of characters. It also has plenty of heart that a story like this needs and deserves. But overall, there is a lack of substance that prevents it from reaching the heights of its widely loved predecessor.

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Jason Reitman – Director / Writer
Gil Kenan – Writer
Rob Simonsen – Composer

Mckenna Grace – Phoebe
Fin Wolfhard – Trevor
Paul Rudd – Grooberson
Carrie Coon – Callie
Logan Kim – Podcast
Celeste O’Connor – Lucky
Dan Aykroyd – Ray Stantz
Bill Murray – Peter Venkman
Ernie Hudson – Winston Zeddemore

My Fave Five Movie Cars

Have you ever watched a film, seen a car, and think “I wish I could drive that?” I can’t count the number of times that thought has crossed my mind over the years. There are so many cool vehicles in cinema that picking some of my favorites is a difficult undertaking. However, I was inspired by Turo to at least try. Turo is a car rental company that allows you to either rent a car or allow others to rent your car. Think Airbnb but for your car instead of your home. Going on a trip? Check Turo for a car to use, maybe even something like the fan-favorite Aviato. Find your car just sitting around? List your car on Turo and make some money on the side. If you are interested in finding a car to rent, check out Turo’s rentals page to find cars in your area. Now, if I could, here are my fave five movie cars I would like to drive.

Pussy Wagon - Kill Bill5) Pussy Wagon – Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

The Kill Bill duology is full of memorable moments and characters. One such character is Sidewinder’s truck, the Pussy Mobile.  It stands out from most vehicles on the road because of its bright yellow body with red flames, not to mention “Pussy Wagon” in a groovy 1960’s font across the back.  I would mostly want to drive it around to see people turn and look as I drive by with a derogatory word plastered on it.  I mean really, who in their right mind would put “wagon” on their truck? What is this, National Lampoon’s Vacation?

Mach-5 - Speed Racer4) Mach 5 – Speed Racer

How fast do I want to get from point A to point B? Really fast.  That’s where the Mach 5 comes in. Built for speed, I could get anywhere I needed to go in record time. Plus, it has all sorts of gadgets built into it that I could navigate almost any type of terrain, with its cutter blades or tire crampon gripes, or handle any trouble that comes my way with the jump jacks or tire shields and bullet-proof polymer deflector. Yes, the Mach 5 can handle just about anything, except for pesky little brothers and monkeys stowing away in the trunk.

Ecto-1 - Ghostbusters3) Ecto-1 – Ghostbusters 1 & 2

If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? DREW! Wait… I mean… GHOSTBUSTERS! Traveling through town in the Ecto-1 with the sirens blaring would be the dream. Hopefully with the Ecto-1 comes Peter, Egon, Ray, and Winston. Imagine, going around and catching apparitions with the OG Ghostbusters. Now that would be the dream.

DeLorean DMC-12 - Back to the Future2) DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future trilogy

I think you already know the reason why I would love to drive a Delorean that runs on uranium and is fitted with a flux compositor.  There are a thousand things I would do if I had a time machine.  Of course, it wouldn’t be as fun without Doc Brown and Marty joining in on the adventures.  Although, some of my uses for the time machine are for personal gain, so maybe it’s not the best idea to have the Doc along. At least most of the time anyway.

Batmobile - The Dark Knight1) Batmobile – The Dark Knight trilogy

Cruising down the road in the Tumbler, nothing would get in my way. Sure, there are traffic laws, but do I really need to obey them when I am essentially driving a tank? Plus, the recreational off-roading capabilities are endless. Then when I don’t feel like taking up the entire road or want to feel the breeze in my hair, I could always take the Batpod for a spin. The Batmobile is the ultimate cinematic vehicle.


I would like to thank Turo for reaching out to me for this project. Again, if you want to find a rental car in your area, visit their rentals page to see what is available near you.

What are some of your favorite vehicles from cinema you would like to drive?

Until next time, cheers!

Trailer Round-Up – 5/23/16

Ghostbusters trailer #2

Ghostbusters international trailer #2

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping trailer #2

The Purge: Election Year trailer #2

Sausage Party

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: out of the Shadows trailer #4

Nine Lives trailer #3

Star Trek: Beyond trailer #2

Don’t Think Twice


Which of these films are you most excited to see?

Trailer Round-Up – 3/14/16

Rock the Kasbah international trailer

Hardcore Henry trailer #2

Midnight Special international trailer

The Trust

The Adderall Diaries

Ghostbusters international trailer

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping redband trailer

Kubo and the Two Strings trailer #2

Florence Foster Jenkins

Captain America: Civil War trailer #2

A Hologram for the King

One More Time

Friend Request international trailer


Which of these films are you most excited to see?

Trailer Round-Up – 3/7/16

Ice Age: Collision Course trailer #2

Rio, I Love You

Angry Birds international trailer

Finding Dory

A Beautiful Planet

Ghostbusters

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

The Meddler

Nina

Kill Command international trailer


Which of these films are you most excited for?

Movie Quote of the Week – 10/30/15

Movie Quote of the Week bannerAnswer to MWL 10/28/15: Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) – Ghostbusters

Dr. Peter Venkman: Come in, Ray.
Dr. Raymond Stantz: Venkman. I saw it! I saw it! I saw it!
Peter: It’s right here, Ray. It’s looking at me.
Ray: He’s an ugly little spud, isn’t he?
Peter: I think he can here you, Ray.
Ray: Don’t move. It won’t hurt you.
Peter: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Ray: Venkman! Venkman! Pete! Venkman, what happened? Are you OK?
Peter: He slimed me.
Ray: That’s great! Actual physical contact.

Thanks for everyone’s submissions and one proton pack to the following people for answering correctly:

Emma (Emmakwall (Explains it all))
Jackie
Dr. Humpp (Dr. Humpp’s Curious Collection)
Tim (Filmfunkel)
Jay (Assholes Watching Movies)
Carly (Carly Hearts Movies)
That Other Critic (That Other Critic)
Rob (Movierob)

Happy Halloween!