A film series developing not unlike the Mission Impossible franchise – it wants to entertain: the general audience, newcomers & longtime fans alike, & largely succeeds. By amping up the pace from the refresh Afterlife, this latest installment widens the scope, character development (Paul Rudd is basically Peter Venkman from the cartoon the Real Ghostbusters at this point, like he pretty much always seemed destined to), in-universe lore, & satisfyingly includes the classic OGs (including finally upgrading Annie Potts’ Janine to a full member) in mentorship/backroom but pivotal support roles.
It’s not the original, so it doesn’t hit those heights (not sure it’s reasonable to consider at this point in the Marvelization & sad decay of cinema, mainstream especially: what ever could again?), but after the last installment’s dramatic detour to reset, we’re back at the firehouse, in NYC, on familiar territory with upgrades & minor tweaks, & it goes out of its way to entertain, provide gentle, engaging, fun, feel-good escapism.
Everyone who was good last time ups the game, though the cast is larger this time round so some don’t have as much screen time as would be as satisfying (the great wee double act of Mckenna Grace & Logan Kim for instance, clearly the future once the reins are fully handed over).
Dan Aykroyd shines as his Dr Ray Stantz gets some room to connect (his palpable sense of pride in achievement of finally getting this series back up & running after 30 plus years of trying is heartwarming & infectious- he literally beams in scenes watching the youngster new stars take the lead). Of the newest editions to the cast, the real star is Kumail Nanjiani whose understated, laconic, charismatic chops remind of classic era Bill Murray meets Rick Moranis & put the amusement meter a few good clicks higher anytime his character is on screen.
Fun – remember when we used to be able to have fun? It is allowed, you know – a fun, solid movie, the latest installment of a beloved continuing story, clearly in good, genuinely caring hands once more. Honestly don’t see what the critics’ problem is with escapist enjoyment? They continually hammer nostalgia like it’s some kind of entertainment that’s beneath them – it’s part 4 in a multi-film series, the characters in the previous chapters of this ongoing story still (largely) exist, why wouldn’t they make appearances in their own story? They still inhabit it – it is their world after all!
If you like Ghostbusters & you want respite from the grimness of the world, & want to be entertained in a simpler universe where good & bad are easily defined, where there’s always hope, & good wins out no matter how dark things may seem, then why not make up your own mind? Why not go see something that purely just wants to let you have a good, fun time & enjoy yourself? Exactly, why not – can’t wait ’til the next one…