I heard the cries of “Nostalgia Bait,” and I didn’t believe them. After watching the film, I couldn’t see the nostalgia through the tears in my eyes. Some may call it rose-tinted, but I’m gonna call it “Ghostbusters” enthusiastically. “Afterlife” finds the right mix of reboot and sequel that allows the movie to work for a new generation while being something that fans of the series will want to embrace like old friends.
First of all, the kids are not only NOT annoying, but a welcoming group to get behind. I like how Finn Wolfhard’s character isn’t a mean older brother to his sister, played by the phenomenal Mckenna Grace. I liked how the crush he has on Celeste O’Connor’s character didn’t force it’s way into the narrative. I liked how the strange and talkative Podcast (Logan Kim) was somehow endearing. It helps that Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd are perfect in the two main adult roles. More importantly this didn’t feel like a “young adult” film. It’s simply a movie with humor, heart and adventure.
I never liked the first sequel to Ghostbusters, and Paul Feig’s reboot was awful, which allows Afterlife to sit as the second best Ghostbusters film ever made. The lead up to the climax gets a little long-winded, but things recover during the finale in a big way. As far as the returning members, and the movie’s tribute to the late Harold Ramis…it’s perfect. Tear inducing perfect.
Grade: B+
This is getting some rave reviews, and while I enjoyed it, I can’t say that I’ll put it on any end of the year lists. Andrew Garfield is amazing as always, and as a fan of musical theater there’s one stand-out scene where director Lin-Manuel Miranda shows off his ability to make phone calls to everyone involved with Broadway for a quick get together. Otherwise I wasn’t a huge fan of the music. The again, I never really enjoyed Rent and I suppose that could have had something to do with it. Also Miranda’s direction is a little flat, which doesn’t work for the material. Still worth it for Garfield alone.
Grade: B-
King Richard is a by the numbers sports movie that’s elevated by the enigmatic and flawed protagonist. In one of his best performances, Will Smith makes Richard the kind of guy you root for and want to see proven wrong. It’s a rare turn for the actor who’s no stranger to emotional roles, but hardly ones that require risk. The film’s opening hour is especially stirring, as we see why Richard must get his girls out of Compton and into a better life. From there, the movie gets into the familiar sports tropes, but we also get another great performance out of Jon Bernthal, who threatens to steal the movie.
The best scene goes to Aunjanue Ellis, as Richard’s wife, who knocks him down the pegs he deserves to be knocked down, and all of it with the love of a long suffering spouse. The movie’s climax is lackluster and can’t match the film’s early energy, but King Richard does what it comes here to do.
Grade: B
Apparently Ridley Scott has a director’s cut of this one in hand, and while I’m not expecting it to be a Kingdom of Heaven level of improvement, the movie could defiantly use the extra time. While it’s true that the overlong length is one of its biggest problems, the film also rushes through many of its key moments. This creates a perfect storm of dull and messy when fun and trashy should have been the goal.
Thankfully the cast knows the assignment. Jeremy Irons doesn’t bother with an accent and still comes away like he belongs. Al Pacino chews the scenery in the way only he can. Adam Driver gets to be more subdued than everyone, but he’s so good that all it takes is a smirk for him to command the screen. Lady Gaga disappears into a role that doesn’t do her character justice when it comes to her state of mind. And speaking of disappearing, Jared Leto goes from a guy in fat suit that sounds like Mario, to Paolo Gucci, the stupid black sheep of an Empire.
Ridley Scott deserves praise for his versatility with this film coming right off of the great Last Duel; however, he makes The Last Duel look even more like a masterpiece standing so close to House of Gucci.
Grade: C
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