Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Runtime: 115 mins. Reviewed in Apr 2024
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age
It’s 40 years since audiences first enjoyed the first Ghostbusters film, which was funny, a touch frightening, but entertaining with ghosts in New York City and the happy characters of the Ghostbusters themselves. There was a sequel five years later. Then, in 2016, a female version of the same story, with Chris Hemsworth as the token male secretary, but, at the time, many audiences considered this a desecration. Five years later there was an attempt to revive the franchise with the next generation in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). It had moderate success and now there is something of a risk in making this film in the series. Jason Reitman, the son of the original director, Ivan Reitman, worked with Gil Kenan, who wrote the previous film, worked hard on being inventive this time round.
Some delight for the fans of the original film, with Aykroyd having a central role here. Ray Stantz (Akyroyd) has retired but is ready to fight again; then Murray turns up, interviewing a suspect but finally joining in along with Winston Zeddemore (Hudson) and Janine Melnitz (Potts). [The other Ghostbusters, Harold Ramis, died in 2014.]
Some delight for those who enjoyed the 2021 film as the same family of Ghostbusters reappears here as well. They are very much the younger generation. Wolfhard, as Trevor Spengler is 18 and Grace is the precocious 15-year-old Phoebe Spengler. They are joined by their stepfather Gary Grooberson (Rudd) and mother Callie Spengler (Coon), as well as several of other young characters who resume their roles.
Something for everyone. And, judging by the initial box office returns and success, mostly everyone has been pleased.
We join an initial chase through New York City and the pursuit of the ghost. There is something of a change of tone when a man, Nadeem Razmaadi (Nanjiani), comes in to sell his grandmother’s goods, in Aykroyd’s store. Among the goods is a mysterious ball covered in ancient hieroglyphics, which is then taken to the antiquities expert Dr Hubert Wartzki (Oswalt) where we learn about a power struggle four thousand years ago and the power contained in this strange ball.
Lots of complications from then on. Razmaadi discovers he has powers to transfer flame by moving his fingers – which will come in handy for the final confrontation. But it is a lonely ghost who betrays Phoebe, her friend, who unleashes the monster – and a new ice age all over New York City.
So, the old brigade, the new brigade, kinds of sinister folklore from the past, confrontations of power, a lot of family problems in between and then the final showdown. Which means that this is popular entertainment at its most popular.
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