Warning: Major spoilers ahead!

The old guard

Interestingly (or blasphemously, depending on who you ask), the bit that didn’t entirely work for me was the inclusion of OG Ghostbusters Ray (Dan Aykroyd, The Blues Brothers), Peter (Bill Murray, Groundhog Day), and Winston (Ernie Hudson, Ms. Congeniality) in the film’s climax. Make no mistake, seeing them show up to take on the reborn Gozer (Olive Wilde, Tron Legacy, House), made this writer feel like a kid again, but it’s impossible to ignore that they appeared almost out of nowhere. While it’s clear that Peter and Winston were summoned by Ray —following a massive exposition dump the latter delivers to Phoebe — there’s no logical way they could be decked out in gear and uniforms that Egon supposedly absconded with 25 years ago.

If the film’s ultimate callback fell a bit short, it was only because Reitman and Kenan had been so successful at incorporating everything else that it stood out for its (slight) awkwardness. Ultimately, the emotional payoff between the (deceased) Egon and his family hits a well-earned bullseye, leaving this writer, and much of the audience, in tears. The final dedication that comes before the credits roll is the icing on the cake, a fitting tribute to a beloved character, and the actor who played him.

The bottom line

Director Jason Reitman described Ghostbusters Afterlife as the most difficult job he’s ever taken on, having to contend with his famed father being on-set for nearly every day of the shoot, but the obvious love and care he put in definitely shows. The younger Reitman, previously known for directing small-scale introspections and character dramas, throws his hat in the big-budget, special effects blockbuster arena here, and acquits himself well, displaying a knack for narrative pacing and action that is surprisingly engaging. By taking on his father’s most famous work, Reitman has built on his family’s legacy, while reviving the franchise for an entirely new generation to enjoy.

Who you gonna call?