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Look, I'll be one of the first people to tell you I love nostalgia. Nothing gets me more excited then when I'm seeing a newly released movie that I am totally digging and to top it off they give me a massive injection of nostalgia. For that to happen though, I have to be enjoying the movie I am given and it has to work. I don't need perfection but I need a solid overall story that gives our characters a purpose and unfortunately for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, it didn't check any of those boxes.
The movie isn't unwatchable and it does have some redeeming elements to it. The most positive thing I can say about this movie is the first act of the film. The first act really takes a deep dive into the newer characters and it pays off. Certain characters we are introduced to are haunted by their past and struggling with adapting to their new reality and I really felt that. The cast all do a good job and no one is terrible in this film. Paul Rudd made me laugh, the kids do a good job for being kids but it's Carrie Coon who carries the film. The trauma her character has been through would get anyone down but she carries forward for her children. It really stuck with me and is the emotional crutch of the film.
The story elements they set up do work and the director Jason Reichman is very talented and incorporates good CGI and visuals into the film. The problem is that they drifted from what was working for the film. The originality of the film to me was the most intriguing thing about it. The characters itself and their issues was more interesting then any ghost they were chasing. The problem is, after the first act we hardly got any of that.
To be frank, if you really love Ghostbusters I think you'll really enjoy this movie. They incorporate a lot of things that regular diehards will love and I can see why it would be exciting. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in the middle like me or just don't care.. I see you having a hard time with this movie.
Grade: C-
Ghostbusters: Afterlife debuts exclusively in theaters November 19th.