Ghostbusters Gets An Afterlife (WARNING: SPOILERS)

Who ya gonna call? How can anyone not respond to that question without saying, "Ghostbusters!" I grew up in the Ghostbusters era. The first two films are beloved by me.  I watched The Real Ghostbusters animated series as well as the Filmation Ghostbusters series.  I was a Ghostbuster for Halloween at least twice as a kid, and I had quite a few Ghostbusters toys.  One that comes to mind is a footless Egon action figure thanks to our family dog.  So, when it comes to the Ghostbusters, I guess I would call myself a fan.

But as a Ghostbusters fan it's been a while since I've had something to get excited about.  I was too old when the Extreme Ghostbusters animated series came out, and it just seemed not that great anyway.  The IDW comic books in recent years have never gotten my attention.  And of course, the 2016 film was quite controversial.  I didn't mind it, but I thought it was nowhere the level of 80's classics. Then came news that Jason Reitman, son of the original film's director, was going to tackle a new Ghostbusters sequel.  Jason has directed such films as Juno, Thank You For Smoking, and Up In The Air.  All of which I enjoy, so it got me excited for this new edition to the franchise.  But then the trailers started to be released my excitement dwindled.

The first trailer had a bunch of kids driving Ecto-1 through a town and chasing a ghost (who at first, I thought was Slimer, but more on that later).  The films and the animated series were full grown adults who could handle an apocalypse-level event with thermal nuclear weapons on their backs.  Plus, they were funny as F$%K! These trailers made it look like Stranger Things the movie, not helped by the addition of Finn Wolfhard from the Netflix series.  I spent the two weeks before seeing Afterlife introducing my 8-year-old daughter to the franchise.  We watch the first two films, and a few episodes of The Real Ghostbusters.  We sat down to watch Afterlife, and to be honest, I thought it was ok.

The daughter and grandchildren of Egon have moved to a smalltown after Egon's death and they soon find out that the original Ghostbuster villain, Gozer, is about to rise again, and it's up to little Phoebe (played by McKenna Grace) to organize her own ghost-busting team.  This film is of course Sony's attempt to reboot the franchise and get a new generation into Ghostbusters.  I say this because my 11-year-old nephew was sitting several seats down from me and I could hear his excitement.  And my daughter also seemed into the film, getting several references from the previous movies we had recently watched.  Maybe having a Ghostbusters film starring not all men (or women), but kids, could be just what the franchise needed.

I kept drawing parallels to The Force Awakens, in that it was a very similar plot to the first films in their franchises and had the returning veterans playing supporting characters.  McKenna Grace is known for playing younger versions of women in films like I, Tonya and Captain Marvel, but I would call her the lead in this film.  However, I think expanding on the troubles of her mother could have helped us get more invested.  We get one quick scene to meet the three characters before being thrusted into the plot.  Why was her mom behind on rent?  Did she have a job?  How good of a relationship does she have with her kids?  And if Janine wasn't her mom, who was Egon's wife/baby momma? 

Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd, helped bring a gravitas to the film as he did what he does. But it seems like they forced the two adult characters of the film together just for the Keymaster and Gatekeeper pay-off, which also seemed like the writers almost forgot they needed to bring forth Gozer. Wolfhard's character was just there to drive the car it seems; and to crush on a girl.  The real personality of this film came from Phoebe and her friend, Podcast, played by Logan Kim.  They all seemed a little too young to be taking on an evil God, which is why I thought the original cast should have come in sooner.

Let's be honest, Annie Potts and Sigorney Weaver's parts were pointless.  They were quick and added nothing.  I wish after the phone call to Ray the three Ghostbusters would have gotten there sooner before the battle had started.  And when they tried to stop Gozer, but couldn't, it would have made Phoebe's attempt more meaningful.  I thought Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson's deliveries were great, but to me it just didn't seem like Bill Murray wanted to be there.  Sure, he is older now, but I didn't feel the Venkman energy of wit I love so much.  Bringing them in sooner would have given them more time for character development, or some kind of story instead of just semi-cameos. And speaking of cameos, no Slimer?  I thought Munchie was cute, but come on!   At one-point Slimer was more popular with Ghostbuster fans than the actual Ghostbusters! 

"Are you a god?"  Luckily Ray had the right answer this time around.  The film is filled with plenty of easter eggs like Twinkies and marshmallow-covered heroes.  The end of the film is beautiful with ghost Egon appearing as you see the original four in one shot.  You get a father/daughter hug and it seems like the Ghostbusters are back in business as the film ends with Ecto-1 blaring through the streets of New York again.  But why?  I thought ghost-busting business had dried up in New York City?  I know they are trying to set-up a sequel with that (and the post-credit scene with Winston) but I don't see how stopping a ghost in the Midwest equals ghost activity now up in New York?  

I feel like I've written this review like I've hated the film, but I didn't.  To me, this film was made for kids who can see themselves in Phoebe and Podcast, and grow up to carry the torch of this franchise for another lifetime.  I thought Reitman did a decent job directing with some great camera shots and angles.  While I wasn't thrilled with the teenage characters, I thought Phoebe and Podcast were great and carried this film well.  I also may not have thought Afterlife was a worthy sequel to the others, but it's cute enough to entertain families and possibly spark more Ghostbusters films.  And to this once one-legged, Egon action figure owner, that makes me happy. 

My Top 5 Harold Ramis Films

Last night all of Hollywood celebrated the biggest night of the year; The Academy Awards.  This event marks the end of awards season in the land of make-believe with thespians who have had so many plastic surgeries they look like their own wax standees.  Meanwhile, those of us who love movies were also busy for at least four hours watching as 12 Years A Slave ended up winning the Best Picture award; suck it Gravity!  So because I was watching the Oscars last night I didn't get a chance to put out this entry on time, so for those of you who actually read this silly little blog (Mom) I do apologize for the delay.  I had several topics I thought about doing for this week's entry, but the one I felt would be most appropriate would be to talk about the passing of Harold Ramis.  I always thought of Harold Ramis as just Eagon from Ghostbusters.  I knew he directed a few things, but never considered his impact in film until last Monday when I heard of his passing.  I was surprised to find out that Ramis practically invented the Ghostbusters.  He helped write both of the feature films, the video game, and any TV series that had the brand name on it.  Word has it he was in development of Ghostbusters III, but that's supposedly been in the works for over two decades.  

When I ran down the list of films Ramis wrote, or helped write, I realized Ramis had a hand in some of the greatest comedies spanning over three decades.  Also, Bill Murray pretty much owes his career to Ramis, seeing how his most famous films were all written by Ramis.  Murray gave a nod to Ramis last night at The Academy Awards while presenting the award for Best Cinematography. I counted about a dozen of Ramis's films I've thoroughly enjoyed, but I figured I'd narrow it down to just my top five he wrote.

5) Animal House (1978)

Along with Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller, Harold Ramis penned this story about a bunch of frats boys, and will go down in history as one of the ultimate college movies ever.  This film set the bar for many films to come with it's raunchy comedy style, and perhaps showing college students for the idiotic jokesters most of them are.  

After knowing Ramis helped write this film I realizes the style matched up with other films like Stripes and Ghostbusters.  It was a little more rough than Ramis's later works, but a classic none the less.  John Belushi doing his zit gag makes me laugh every time.   

4) Groundhog Day (1993)

Ramis not only co-wrote Groundhog Day with Danny Rubin, but also directed this film, starring his long-time-partner-in-crime; Bill Murray.  Minus a few small Ghostbuster-themed projects this would be the last time Murray and Ramis would work together; a professional relationship that started back in 1979 with Meatballs.  In this film Murray is a cynical weatherman who ends up reliving February 2nd over and over again.  In time, Murray does everything from trying to kill himself in the bathtub with a toaster, stealing the groundhog, and romancing his co-worker, played by Andie MacDowell.  A funny movie that is always good to watch whenever you might be feeling a little blue and realize "it could be worse."

 3) Caddyshack (1980)

Every time I think of this film I can't help but think of all the classic quotes and the Kenny Loggins theme song.  This is another Bill Murray classic that only sees him as a supporting character, but memorable.  To be honest though I love Chevy Chase in this film the most.   

Ramis wrote this little ditty with Brian Doyle-Murray and Douglas Kenney as well has it's 1988 sequel.  Due to the time frame in which I grew up I seemed to watch more of Caddyshack II then the original, but as I grew older I realized how fantastic Caddyshack is, even though I still do appreciate the goofy follow-up.

2) Stripes (1981)

If you haven't seen this film then you should not be allowed to watch another comedy until you do.  Harold Ramis not only wrote this film with Daniel Goldberg and Len Blum, but co-starred with Bill Murray in this hilarious story about two guys who joined the army and the knuckle heads that enlisted with them, including the late John Candy and Judge Reinhold.

This film was directed by Ivan Reitman, who directed Meatballs and both Ghostbuster films, which Murray and Ramis were also involved in.  It doesn't get much better than this folks, but sadly newer generations haven't even seen this well-crafted film that Ramis helped bring to theaters and homes everywhere.

1) Ghostbusters (1984)

Remember when I wrote above "it doesn't get MUCH better?" Well this is that little exception to Stripes. Ramis wrote this imaginative film along with co-star Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray also starring.  The three of them are comedy at it's best.  They played their parts perfectly, especially Murray.  This film started a franchise that audiences still can't seem to get enough of.  From this film came a sequel, several cartoons, video games, board games, toys, lunch boxes, and a brand name everyone around the world knows and loves.

Every time I watch this movie I bust up laughing; every time.  This last weekend I went back and re-watched both Ghostbuster films after I heard of Ramis's passing, and I while I was laughing constantly Ramis seemed to deliver some of the best lines.  His character, Eagon, is a serious scientist, and Ramis's delivery of the material he helped write was perfect.  Eagon has a dry sense of humor and a weird view that was hilarious when played against Murray's constant joking and Aykroyd's constant fear.

I love this movie and it makes me so sad that the person who basically created the Ghostbusters is gone.  I think the world is little less funny now that Ramis is gone, but the legacy of laughs he left behind will always be in our thoughts. When I need I laugh, I know who I'm gonna call.