PIC of the Week – Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Article Series by Ray Schillaci
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment manages to finally get it right while warming our hearts and placing a big smile on our face with a much worthy sequel to the 1984 supernatural comedy classic with Ghostbusters Afterlife. I will forego any spoilers. Believe me, there are as many surprises in this movie as in Spider-Man: No Way Home and every bit as fun for all of us that loved the original Ghostbusters.
I was disappointed in the first sequel and I thought the 2016 version would have placed the last nail on the coffin of the franchise. But, leave it to writer/director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up In The Air, Young Adult) to recapture the magic of his father’s original film, pay homage, and make it all fresh for today’s audience. Add to that, an absolutely wonderful cast, production design and a visual treat of effects and you have a Ghostbusters sequel that will leave you wanting more.
Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan (Monster House) take us out of the New York scenario and plunk us smack dab into the middle of nowhere, Summerville, Oklahoma. This is where the struggling estranged daughter of Egon Spengler (the late Harold Ramis) has now moved with her two kids as she has inherited his farm (she has been evicted from her last place). Not only does Callie have so much anger having her father abandon her, she is also has a hard time being a single mom to Trevor and her youngest, Phoebe.
Callie and Phoebe constantly butt heads and that is perhaps because her youngest daughter reminds her so much of her estranged father. Not only does Phoebe have his mannerisms, looks very much like him, she also loves science and is much smarter than the average kid which makes her a bit of a loner. On the other hand, Trevor is at that awkward 15 year-old boy stage and manages to easily get in trouble.
Right away, the family dynamic feels so down-to-earth. We can easily relate with everyone and they are not comedians waiting to deliver the next funny line. Yes, the situation they are placed in may feel familiar – Goonies, Stranger Things – but there never is one false note. Either we are laughing at the innocence of Phoebe’s new friend, the pint-sized, self-titled, Podcast or we’re enchanted by Trevor trying to fit in, make friends while trying to get the attention of a girl a couple years older than him.
Phoebe attends summer school and meets her teacher, Gary (Paul Rudd), who happens to be a big fan of the Ghostbusters. He’s surprised that she knows very little about her grandfather and the crew and he is more than happy to relate what he knows. At the same time, Trevor discovers the Ecto-1 car in the family barn. He has no clue as to what it is or what it’s capable of. He just wants to get it working so he can drive.
Later, Phoebe discovers a secret room of her grandfather’s and a proton pack along with other equipment and begins to restore it all while adding some improvements. Meanwhile, there are ghostly rumblings going on in Summerville. Mysterious earthquakes, weird sounds, and bizarre sightings add up to a monumental discovery in an abandoned mineshaft…the temple of Gozer. That’s right, the original demon from over thirty years ago actually resides in a mountain and seems to be a prisoner there.
This is as far as I’ll take it so as not to spoil all the fun. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is as delightful as the original. It’s also meant to be a sequel to Ghostbusters II, and Afterlife could easily revive the franchise. The laughs are plenty, the cast pure magic, the nostalgia is welcomed and is far from a retread.
This 4K version is only a slight bump above the Blu. The sharpness and clarity is noticeable, but to this viewer’s eye it may not warrant going out and purchasing a 4K set up if you do not have one yet. Here’s the thing, Sony has supplied a 2160/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. If you have a 4K player and/or TV without Dolby Vision you will barely tell the difference. Dolby Vision is only supported by some models and companies; Sony, LG, Philips and Panasonic. All this aside, there is a great picture to be viewed. Colors are spectacular, darker scenes are never drab and great attention to detail which makes finding the easter eggs so much easier.
On the other hand, the Dolby Atmos sound supplied by the UHD format is reference quality. It actually amps up everything that is great about the Blu version’s 5.1 track. Surround is insane and you will be leaping off your couch with some frights in store. I cannot say enough in regards to the depth, crispness, and immersive experience this disc provides.
The 4K version does not have any extras except for trailers. But, the accompanying Blu has plenty of bonuses. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment gives us nearly an hour of pure enjoyment with…
• Summoning the Spirit: Making Ghostbusters: Afterlife – Jason Reitman looks at the original idea, explores the original film’s magic, making use of old-fashioned special effects, characters and performances, locations and production design, costumes, and more.
• The Gearhead’s Guide to Ghostbusters Gadgets – Looking at some of the iconic props and some new to this film.
• Special Effects: The Ghosts of Afterlife – Exploring the film’s new ghost as well as some returning characters: purpose, design, and how they were made.
• Bringing Ecto-1 Back to Life – Reviving the franchise’s famous car nearly four decades later.
• We Got One! Easter Eggs Revealed – A look at all of the obvious, and not so obvious, secrets the filmmakers have put into the film.
• Ghostbusters: A Look Back – Cast and crew reflect on the original film.
• A Look Ahead – Another quick look at connecting this film to the previous films.
• A Deleted Scene
• Previews – Additional Sony titles.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife not only made me laugh, it brought a tear to my eye as well. It hit that sweet spot and made me want to watch it again with friends and family. This is one to definitely add to your library. So, for a guaranteed evening of fun, who you gonna call…
Lowest Price: 4K – $27.96 – Blu – $22.96 – Amazon & Walmart
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