The Ghostbusters (1984) and the (1989) sequel movies are part of cinematic history. Now, a new Ghostbusters movie to the franchise has made it’s way to cinemas this year, with full of surprises.
The movies were directed and written by Ivan Reitman and also written by Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Rick Moranis (uncredited), and complete comedy gold classics!
The stellar performances, that made these 80s movies still so popular, came from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. These actors brought so much fun, energy and humour to their roles.
Popularity in culture
Everything became a hit for these movies, most notably the iconic soundtracks by composer Elmer Bernstein, and the hit song Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. As well as the merch, toys, games and who can forget that famous Ectomobile?!
A new sequel
After 31 years, a true sequel to the Ghostbusters franchise has been made, called Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Directed by Jason Reitman; whom grew up watching these movies. In addition to being behind-the-scenes during the two previous movies, with his father. Ivan Reitman is now a producer on this latest sequel.
Spoilers beyond this point!
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a movie that follows the story from a point of view from the Spengler family. One of the Ghostbusters’ Egon Spengler, has a shocking posthumous reprisal on a farm in Oklahoma. The late-great Harold Ramis CGI appearance brings closure to his role as Egon, as the whole movie is a heartfelt tribute to his role.
This latest movie also presents a new legacy through his family as mentioned. Egon’s daughter: a single mother Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon) and her two children Pheobe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) leave behind their old lives, to take care of the farm where Egon once lived.
Returning cast
The return of the original villains from the first Ghostbusters 1984 movie: Gozer connects the back story between the old and the new.
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson once again appear as The Ghostbusters. A wonderful, eerie and rewarding experience to see back in cinemas.
On The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, actors: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson look back on their roles. (Video has since been made unavailable, however, here are the quotes):
Jimmy Fallon asked “Why now?” After waiting so long to make this sequel.
“Jason Reitman wrote a great script. So full of heart and going right back to the first two movies and it’s DNA and it’s heart and soul. And we just read and thought. You know, this is the right time.. this is the right way to do it.”
– Dan Aykroyd
The movie really does reflect the authentic value and nostalgia of the first two.
Dan Aykroyd also reflects on where the idea for Ghostbusters came from.
“My Great-Grandfather Sam… began to research spiritualism in the 1920s and he was really into the concept of the idea of mediumship, that the consciousness survives after death. Not only the soul!… You know, would it be good to do an old-style Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Abbott and Castello, Bowery-Boys style comedy”
– Dan Aykroyd
It’s incredible to see these actors reprise and still be so proud of the franchise by bringing the same energy back to their roles after so long. Jason Reitman honoured Harold Ramis in the perfect way.
Ernie Hudson also mentions what it was like being back with the cast.
“You know for almost 40 years, they talked about it [and] talked about it and finally it happened. I couldn’t believe it
– Ernie Hudson,
but it was so, it was so great to see them it was almost
like a spiritual moment when we kind of came together
and I almost teared up, so it’s a I mean, I love everything this movie is…”
interviewed by ExtraTV
There should hopefully be another sequel coming as Ernie Hudson hinted in an interview with Jake Hamilton on his channel JakesTakes,
Ernie Hudson discusses how he has “heard rumours they [are] writing a new one. So we’ll see!” So, the fourth movie may happen.
Read the full Chatter Box Film review for Ghostbusters: Afterlife here!
