GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E [2021] [Blu-ray] [2021 / 2022] [UK Release] ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ is the movie fans have been waiting for the new generation of GHOSTBUSTERS!
From director Jason Reitman (Son of Ivan Reitman) and producer Ivan Reitman (Director of the original ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ film) comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E,’ when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
FILM FACT: Following the death of Harold Ramis on the 24th February, 2014, Sony/Columbia stated that Harold Ramis would appear in a cameo in the film. The film was delayed again to rework the script. By March 2015, Ivan Reitman was no longer attached to direct the third film, but would remain as producer, with plans to begin principal photography by early 2015. Sigourney Weaver wanted her character's son to feature as a member of the team, and Ivan Reitman said he had already been included in the script. A new film connected to the original two films was revealed in January 2019. Ivan Reitman's son Jason was confirmed to direct from a script he co-wrote with Gil Kenan while Ivan would serve as a producer. The film would feature teenagers — two males and two females — as the new recruits for the Ghostbusters team. Ivan Reitman shot on location and relied on practical effects as much as possible to maintain stylistic continuity with the original films. The Spengler farmhouse was a practical set built on a ridge that recalled the Psycho house. An old barn was relocated and reconstructed piece-by-piece on location for the unveiling of Ecto-1. Two Ectomobiles were used during filming. While the vehicles were vintage 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinels, modern performance engines and suspension upgrades were required to complete the stunt sequences which were filmed on real city streets.
Cast: Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Logan Kim, Celeste O'Connor, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Sigourney Weaver, Bob Gunton, J.K. Simmons, Shawn Seward, Billy Bryk, Sydney Mae Diaz, Hannah Duke, Bokeem Woodbine, Paulina Alexis, Marlon Kazadi, Chiara Petersen, Danielle Kennedy, Artoun Nazareth, Crystal Roseborough, Dusan Rokvic, Emma Portner, Stella Aykroyd, Kim Faires, Josh Gad (Muncher voice), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Gozer voice), Cara Azevedo (uncredited), Ira Heiden (voice) (uncredited), Bud Klasky (uncredited), Tracy Letts (uncredited), Faith Louissaint (uncredited), Sarah Natochenny (voice) (uncredited), Ivan Reitman (uncredited), Daniel D'Angelo Sparks (uncredited), Olivia Wilde (uncredited) and Shelby Young (voice) (uncredited)
Director: Jason Reitman
Producers: Aaron L. Gilbert, Adam Somer, Amie Karp, Ashley Levinson, Bryan Yaconelli, Dan Aykroyd, Eric Reich, Erica Mills, Gil Kenan, Ivan Reitman, p.g.a., Jason Blumenfeld, Jason Cloth, Joe Medjuck, Kerry Joseph, Laura Geucherian, Michael Beugg, Patrice Avery, Philip Marvin and Tom Pollock
Screenplay: Gil Kenan (written), Jason Reitman (written), Dan Aykroyd (based on the 1984 film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ written by Dan Aykroyd), Harold Ramis (based on the 1984 film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’) and Ivan Reitman (based on the 1984 film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ directed by Ivan Reitman)
Composer: Rob Simonsen
Make-up and Hair Department: Aimee Macabeo (Hair department: R-E-N), Alynne Schripsema (Mould department: R-E-N), Amanda Rye (Key make-up artist: second unit), Ashley Cordova (Key make-up artist: Los Angeles), Amber Hickman (Mould department: R-E-N), Annie Tagge (Mould department: R-E-N), Arjen Tuiten (Special make-up and live action creature effects designer), Beth Hathaway (Fabricator: R-E-N), Bill Fesh (Creature foam technician: R-E-N), Bill Sturgeon (Animatronic designer), Brian Rae (Mould shop supervisor: R-E-N), Brie Ford (Seaming department: R-E-N), Brigitte Reiss-Andersen (Personal makeup artist: Sigourney Weaver), Bruce D. Mitchell (Fabrication: R-E-N), Carl Lyon (Mould department: R-E-N), Carol Koch (Sculptor: R-E-N), Chris Harrison-Glimsdale (Hair department head), Danielle Dawson (Assistant make-up artist), Danny Wagner (Sculptor: R-E-N), Frank Rydberg (Mould department: R-E-N), Geoff Redknap (Prosthetic make-up artist), Gunther Schetterer (Key make-up artist), Heba Thorisdottir (Make-up designer: Paul Rudd), Ivonne Escoto (Fabrication: R-E-N), Jake C. Barber (Mould department: R-E-N), Jessica Nelson (Contact lens designer and painter), Joanne Jacobsen (Make-up department head), Judy Durbacz (Hair department first assistant / key hair: second unit), Jurgen Heimann (Animatronic designer: Spectral Motion), Karen Bartek (Hair stylist: Paul Rudd), Linda Sturgeon (Studio coordinator: R-E-N), Liz Lash (Make-up stylist: Los Angeles), Lou Elsey (Fabricator: R-E-N), Mary Ann Valdes (Personal hair stylist: Sigourney Weaver), Melanie Eichner (Mould department: R-E-N), Michelle Nyree (Hair department: R-E-N), Mike Elizalde (Additional animatronics: Spectral Motion), Mike Fields (Prosthetic make-up artist), Mitch Devane (Sculptor: R-E-N), Norman Cabrera (Key artist sculptor: R-E-N), Pamela Goldammer (Prosthetic make-up artist), Patrick Baxter (Prosthetic make-up artist), R. Toi Rodchompu (Wigs and hair department: R-E-N), Raymund Egango (Facilities/shipping: R-E-N), Regina Jiganti (Mould department: R-E-N), Richard Arguijo (Mould maker), Stephanie Rives (Hair stylist: Los Angeles), Steve Koch (Sculptor: R-E-N), Steven Adkins (Mould department: R-E-N), Tanner White (Special make-up effects artist: R-E-N). Tim Larsen (Painter: R-E-N) and Vasilios Tanis (Personal make-up artist: Paul Rudd)
Costume Designer: Danny Glicker
Cinematography: Eric Steelberg, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2:0 Dolby Digital Audio Description Service
Czech/Cesky: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Hungarian/Maygar: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Italian: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Polish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech and Greek
Running Time: 123 minutes
Region: Region Free
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / BRON Creative / Ghost Corps / SONY Pictures Home Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] is a feel good remake of the 1980’s original that will appeal to the original ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ fans of a certain age. The film is a very playful paranormal reboot and offers very funny frights for all the family. A supremely charming and hugely fun sequel that strikes the near perfect balance of nostalgia and modern-day sequel that has its heart firmly in the right place and is truly worthy of the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ name and franchise. This was a really wonderful and heartfelt film that felt like a catch up with old friends. Jason Reitman’s ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE’ is awash in nostalgia for the past. But it really comes alive when it makes proton packs exciting for a new generation. The ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ franchise as we know it is officially back and this time, director Jason Reitman follows the canon established by his father’s movies, but set in present day some thirty years later.
‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ tells the story of the next couple of generations, after the boys cleaned up that little mess in New York. This round, we started off in the middle of a sleepy town where, “something has gone terribly wrong.” Commonplace quakes have been plaguing the townsfolk as of late, yet no one knows why.
We meet Phoebe [McKenna Grace], her brother Trevor [Finn Wolfhard], and mom Callie [Carrie Coon]. They're new residents of an inherited dirt farm on the edge of town. Precocious kids and a mystery to solve go hand in hand in this instalment, with so many call-backs to the original ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ movie, I was smiling from ear to ear most of the time. Casting is spot on, and each lead has their own role to play, which may find you comparing ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ to the original.
Aside from its lovable characters, music is another aspect that’s long been crucial to the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ film identity. Composer Rob Simonsen had an excruciatingly hard task here – creating new music for a new ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ film and pulls it out of the bag with great skill and confidence. There are some wonderful little cues from the original that fans will notice here, but Rob Simonsen also crafts some beautiful pieces of his own. Eric Steelberg’s cinematography is likewise deliciously vibrant and full of life and mystical wonder, set in the visually striking mid-West that gives ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE’ a distinct visual identity.
Further evidence of how well the script captures this almost timeless feel is in both the town of Summerville (a fascinating fish bowl of Americana from nowhere and everywhere, including a 1950’s roller skate diner whilst still being very obviously a town of today) and even its soundtrack choices, ranging from The Clapping Song to the Shirelles and through to the Buzzcocks. It’s a superb way of plugging into that sense of familiarity without it feeling obvious, yet giving us a sense of tone and place that could just as easily exist perfectly out of time.
‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ is a joy, and it succeeds as both supernatural family fun and a slice of nostalgia and homage. The cast is delightful, and especially Paul Rudd and Mckenna Grace, and they transcend the quirky trappings that so many similar films fall victim to. It’s a great passing of the torch, and while some of it feels the film is a little clunky, I’d say ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ it’s a worthy real successor.
‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ is a fun rehash of the original ‘Ghostbusters’ film, utilizing young people to lead the charge. While it may not have the most engaging story to tell at times, it has a ton of heart and great humour. Jason Reitman has done a diligent job of updating this pop culture sensation for new audiences.
‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ is spectacularly entertaining, whether you’re a new fan just discovering the ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise moment of glory. Nothing will ever replace what Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, and the late Harold Ramis once did, and this sequel doesn’t try to. Instead, it honours that in fulfilling and surprising ways. I’ll leave that to be discovered, but know this… I really loved this film.
GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E MUSIC TRACK LIST
GHOSTBUSTERS Original Themes (Composed by Elmer Bernstein)
THE CLAPPING SONG (Clap Pat Clap Slap) (Written by Lincoln Chase, Kay Werner and Sue Werner) [Performed by Shirley Ellis]
BABY IT’S YOU (Written by Burt Bacharach, Mack David and Barney Williams) [Performed by The Shirelles]
ALL YOUR LOVE (I Miss Loving) (Written by Otis Rush) [Performed by Otis Rush]
RABBIT CHASE 1 (From the Motion Picture ‘CUJO’) (Written Charles Bernstein) [Performed by Charles Bernstein]
CUJO ATTACKS CAR (From the Motion Picture ‘CUJO’) (Written Charles Bernstein) [Performed by Charles Bernstein]
MUDDY WATER (Written by Alton Delmore) [Performed by The Delmore Brothers]
WAIT A MINUTE GIRL (Written by Roosevelt Christmas) [Performed by The Newday]
CHILD’S PLAY THEME (Music from the MGM film ‘Child’s Play) (Written by Joe Renzetti) [Performed by Joe Renzetti]
CAN YOU GET TO THAT (Written by George Clinton Jr. and Erni Harris) [Performed by Funkadelic]
BOREDOM (Written by Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley) [Performed by Buzzcocks]
FOOLISH TRY (Written by Kelly Zirbes and Doug Pettibone) [Performed by Kelly's Lot]
ON THE ROAD AGAIN (Written by Willie Nelson) [Performed by Willie Nelson]
GHOSTBUSTERS Original Theme Song (Written by Ray Parker Jr.) [Performed by Ray Parker Jr.]
HAUNTED HOUSE (Written by Mckenna Grace and Lily Kincade) [Performed by Mckenna Grace]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Columbia Pictures, Bron Creative, Ghost Corps and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment presents us the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ with a rock solid image and is shown in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The digital source is free of all but the finest noise and encode issues are next to non-existent. The picture is sharp and crisp, revealing exceptionally vivid and stable textures around town and the farm. Various Ghostbusting equipment – new and old alike – thrives for textural clarity and intimate detail, particularly the older objects which show plenty of age and use related wear and tear. Faces are complex and clear, and so are clothes. Colours are vivid and bold. Notable are the intensely bright proton pack streams, the various swirling ghostly colours, and other high intensity tones. Clothes and other grounded colours are just as good as they are. Whites are crisp, blacks are deep, and flesh tones are accurate. This is a thoroughly enjoyable 1080p image from the combined effort of Columbia Pictures and SONY Pictures Home Entertainment.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Columbia Pictures, Bron Creative, Ghost Corps and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings us the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ with a very nice and exciting 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio experience. The presentation could not be more intense and satisfying at this configuration. The opening sequence alone is reference worthy for not only low-end extension but also for the wild surround usage, high energy score, and overall clarity. All of these elements hold throughout. The track is never wanting for more power, more immersion, more detail. Everything is in perfect working order, balance is superb, and the level of sonic excitement can barely be matched by any other soundtrack. Add in perfectly configured dialogue and this one is one of the best 5.1 tracks ever to be heard in a very long time. So well done with the combined effort of Columbia Pictures and SONY Pictures Home Entertainment.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Summoning the Spirit: Making ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] [1080p / 480i] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1 /1.37:1] [19:50] With this featurette, Jason Reitman looks at the original idea, and explores the original ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ film's magic, making use of old-fashioned special effects, characters and performances, locations and production design, costumes, and much more. It’s a pretty standard featurette, but it’s still worth watching for fans. As an added bonus we get to view clips from the films ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] and ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ [1984]. We also get to view a Pre-production meeting for Ghost Corps, Inc. Contributors include: Jason Reitman [Director/Co-writer], Ivan Reitman, p.g.a. [Producer], Gil Kenan [Co-writer/Executive Producer], Finn Wolfhard [Trevor Spengler], Paul Rudd [Gary Grooberson], Eric Steelberg, A.S.C. [Director of Photography], Mckenna Grace [Phoebe Spengler], Carrie Coon [Callie Spengler], Logan Kim [Podcast], Celeste O'Connor [Lucky Domingo], Jason Blumenfeld [Executive Producer/1st Assistant Director], François Audouy [Production Designer], Danny Glicker [Costume Designer], Annie Potts [Janine Melnitz] and Sigourney Weaver [Dana Barrett].
Special Feature: The Gearhead’s Guide to Ghostbuster’s Gadgets [2021] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1] [6:12] With this featurette, we are looking at some of the amazing iconic props and some new gadgets to this film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE’ that includes PKE meters, proton packs, traps and this featurette digs into all aspects of the film. Once again we get to view a few clips from the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E.’ Contributors include: Jason Blumenfeld [Executive Producer/1st Assistant Director], Jason Reitman [Director/Co-writer], Ben Eadie [Prop maker], Carrie Coon [Callie Spengler], Ivan Reitman, p.g.a. [Producer], Mckenna Grace [Phoebe Spengler], Paul Rudd [Gary Grooberson], Elia Popov [Special Effects Supervisor], François Audouy [Production Designer] and Logan Kim [Podcast].
Special Feature: Spectral Effects: The Ghosts of Afterlife [2021] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1] [6:29] With this featurette, here we are exploring the film's new ghost as well as some returning characters: purpose, design, and how they were made. Not all the effects were CGI, and this featurette gets into the various digital and practical ways the ghosts were brought to life. Once again as an added bonus we get to view clips from the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] and ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ [1984]. We also get to view some amazing Concept Art of the Ghost Muncher. Contributors include: Jason Reitman [Director/Co-writer], Carrie Coon [Callie Spengler], Alessandro Ongaro [Visual Effects Supervisor], Alex Smith [On-Set Dresser], Mckenna Grace [Phoebe Spengler], Finn Wolfhard [Trevor Spengler] and Ivan Reitman [Producer].
Special Feature: Bringing Ecto-1 Back to Life [2021] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1] [4:49] With this featurette, we get to see the iconic ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ vehicle is back, of course, and this is a look at how it was revived for the modern era. Fun fact: They built two cars for the movie, plus a third for soundstage work, and recreated the original look and feel down to the license plates. Once again as an added bonus we get to view clips from the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] and ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ [1984]. Contributors include: Jason Reitman [Director/Co-writer], Finn Wolfhard [Trevor Spengler], François Audouy [Production Designer], Elia Popov [Special Effects Supervisor], Cyril O’Neil [President of Ghostlight], Josh Erb [Special projects Manager at Ghostlight], Mckenna Grace [Phoebe Spengler] and Logan Kim [Podcast].
Special Feature: We Got One! Easter Eggs Revealed [2021] [1080p] [2.40:1] [7:49] With this featurette, we take a look at all of the obvious, and not so obvious, secrets the filmmakers have put into the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ and of course there are tons of other things hidden in the movie, and this featurette digs into all of them. I don’t think I would have ever guessed where the pattern on one of Phoebe’s shirts came from. To find out what Easter Eggs are revealed, and you of course will have to watch this particular featurette, as there are a great deal of Easter Eggs surprises. As we come to the end of this featurette, and with the audio commentator she says, That’s it for this time, and watch the movie again and maybe you will find other Easter Eggs and you didn’t think we would reveal everything did you, and you know you gonna call, right, happy hunting!
Special Feature: Ghostbusters: A Look Back [2021] [1080p / 480i] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [10:37] With this featurette, we get to view and hear from the cast and crew of ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ who reflect nostalgically on the original ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ 1984 film. Watch out when actor Dan Akroyd lobbies heavily for a prequel called ‘Ghostbusters High’ much to everyone’s amusement. Once again, we get the added bonus in viewing some clips from the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ 1984 film. Contributors include: Sigourney Weaver [Dana Barrett], Ernie Hudson [Winston Zeddemore], Bill Murray [Dr. Peter Venkman], Ivan Reitman [Director], Dan Akroyd [Dr. Raymond Stantz] and Annie Potts [Janine Melnitz].
Special Feature: A Look Ahead [2021] [1080p / 480i] [2.40:1 / 1.37:1] [3:44] With this featurette, we get to meet the team behind the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ and talking about how they all really enjoyed making this 2021 film, but we also get to view a few clips from the 1984 film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS.’ Contributors include: Ernie Hudson [Winston Zeddemore], Bill Murray [Peter Venkman], Ivan Reitman, p.g.a. [Producer], Dan Akroyd [Ray Stantz/Executive Producer] and Jason Reitman [Director/Co-writer].
Special Feature: Deleted Scene [2021] [1080p] [2.40:1] [1:24] With this featurette, we take a look at one deleted scene entitled Is It Ever Too Late? from ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ and is a scene between Callie Spengle [Carrie Coons] and Janine Melnitz [Annie Potts]. There are a couple touching moments in this deleted scene that probably could have merited its inclusion in the film ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E.’
Finally, ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ [2021] is a totally enjoyable revitalisation of the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ and is undoubtedly the best thing that could have happened to the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ franchise beloved by many. If you loved the first two movies from the 1980's, chances are ‘GHOSTBUSTERS: A F T E R L I F E’ is just what you've been waiting for, as it is a totally brilliant and inventive film and a total blast and now I look forward to seeing where Reitman & Co. might take the ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ franchise into the future. Don't forget! If you do choose to see this movie, and then please DO NOT miss the mid-credits and post-credits final scenes they are gold! Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
