We Have the Tools We have the Talent- Ghostbusters: Afterlife - a spoiler free review

Plot point spoiler-free. But there will be tons of emotions.

I am not sure if you know: Ghostbusters is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. The characters are fleshed out, the jokes are on point, the chemistry between actors is heavier than an advanced college-level course, and it balances fun with spookiness. Not to say the movie is perfect (who brings 300 CCs of Thorozine to a date?), but it is practically there.

Going into the movie theater, I donned my button-up Ghostbuster logo shirt, Ghostbuster ugly sweater cardigan, and Ghostbuster socks. I've heard you should never wear band's merch at their own concert. That definitely does not apply to movies. Drink in hand, at a brand new theater with recliner seats, I sat back with anticipation.

November 19, 2021, is a date that has been looming for some time. Especially since Afterlife was supposed to come out in the summer of 2020. But, do good things come to those who wait?

From the opening credits until the very end where the movie ran out of reel, I was smiling. I was in awe at references (spores, molds, and fungus) and throwbacks. I enjoyed the little moments of humor and the world-building. One thing this movie lacked was time for characters to build on one another. Which is odd, because they spend the first third trying to do this.

The 1984 Ghostbusters gave us nuances that are hard to find in many movies. There are several examples of this are at the Sedgewick hotel. Entering the building Peter flirts with a rich lady using only facial movements. Right after that, the manager sneaks up behind them and all three Ghostbusters react with genuine surprise. Lastly, after they switch on Ray's proton pack for the first time, Egon and Peter try to inch away. The movements were not overly dramatic nor over-pronounced. They were noticeable in a way real people might react.

The beginning is a little slow. While I understand the character introduction, it seemed to stall the narrative a little. While the original movie world built, they did so while advancing the plot. This movie slogs through jokes about the dirt farmer. Once you get over the references and easter eggs, you are (im)patiently waiting until the second act. It is reflected in the discovery and use of the Ecto-1 - which is not a spoiler as it is in every trailer.

Once the story kicks into gear the action moves rapidly. There is some glossing over some logic and storyline (like once they slide down the pole, how do they get out?). But, what it skips over in plot points, it makes up for in moving the story forward. There are more questions leftover like why the villain does what he does, and why is the body where it is. From beginning to end, those questions generally don't matter. It is a satisfactory story with some open-ended questions.

Coming on the very belated heels of the attempted reboot, Afterlife goes back to the original universe and pushes us ahead 20 years. Family, friends, and our previous heroes have moved into new lives. They do well with giving credit to two of the original Ghostbusters (one still living and one who has left us with a fond memory). And while I appreciate what the 2016 tried, although I think it missed many marks, the 2021 Afterlife is an enjoyable ride with jokes, nostalgia, and squeezes in some heart.

Listen: do you smell that? I do. It is the smoke rising from a ghost trap. It is the crackling of a proton wand firing. It is the sheer joy emanating from me. I ain't afraid of no ghosts, nor am I afraid of no sequel.