With Ghostbusters: Afterlife!
Ghostbusters: Afterlife was one of the movies that was affected the most by the pandemic, being delayed countless times. And, finally, we have it. The Ghostbusters franchise is an interesting one, because it was just dead for a while, and then an attempt to re-create it with women failed miserably. So now, we have a second attempt to re-ignite the franchise with Afterlife. Does it live up to the first Ghostbusters? Or is it a disappointment, like Ghostbusters 2016? Find out down below.
4. Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II is a forgettable mess that ignores everything great about the first film. We have a weird plot line about Vigo the Carpathian, a 16th century evil prince, trying to possess Dana Barrett's baby. It lacks all the wit and charm that was present in the original. The group dynamic isn't nearly as fun. The world-building and entertainment value just isn't the same. To be honest, I don't remember much about this movie because it's so forgettable. And the things I do remember are not good.
3. Ghostbusters (2016)
Ever wanted to see a Ghostbusters remake with annoying characters that happen to be female? Me neither. I get it, some movies want to have a feminist message, but really? Throw feminism into the Ghostbusters franchise? I like Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, but I am not a huge Kate McKinnon fan. Leslie Jones can be funny, and she is in this movie. This movie is a complete mess, with a terrible story that cannot hold a candle to the original. The Ghostbusters themselves are nowhere near as interesting as Venkman, Ray, Egon, and Winston. It tries to throw in a few cameos, with all of the original Ghostbusters cast appearing as different characters, but it just feels wrong. I don't like this move. It's not good.
2. Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Afterlife captured the nostalgic vibe that Ghostbusters had. It passed the torch down to McKenna Grace's Phoebe Spengler, a wondrously nerdy kid that will be able to carry the franchise in the future. While it does pay homage to the legacy of Egon Spengler and the Ghostbusters, it also has some great fan service that, to me, felt completely earned. I think it lacks the uniqueness and magic of the original, and it also has a few too many similarities to the plot of Ghostbusters, but I think that this was one hundred percent the right direction to take the franchise.
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
But coming in in first place (and it isn't even close) is the original. Between ages 6 and 10 or 11, this was my favorite movie. And, while it isn't my favorite movie anymore, it is still one of my favorites. This is nearly a perfect movie. It is endlessly quotable and memorable, taking a goofy concept and creating a movie that will entertain anyone. Nobody I've ever talked to about Ghostbusters dislikes it. It's one of the films that has been universally accepted as a classic. From the comedy to the sometimes spooky atmosphere to Bill Murray's iconic performance to the friction' Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ghostbusters is just an incredible film. Without question, this is the best movie in the franchise. And it will never be topped. It can't.