Starring Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace and Paul Rudd

Directed by Jason Reitman

Sony, out now

When a single mother and her children inherit a farmhouse in a small town they realise that something supernatural is stirring in the mountains.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the Ghostbusters equivalent of The Force Awakens – a big budget return to a much loved franchise that throws in countless references to the original, while also replaying major plot points. It’s a tick box exercise that ultimately makes it a greatest hits reunion rather than something new – and how you feel about they will ultimately determine how much you enjoy this Ghostbusters redux.

In December 1984 I saw three fantasy movies at the cinema – Gremlins, Dune and Ghostbusters – and while I enjoyed Ivan Reitman’s New York-set supernatural comedy, it was Joe Dante’s small town creature feature that won my heart. Thirty-seven years later and Jason (son of Ivan) Reitman’s next instalment in the Ghostbusters franchise has as much to do with Gremlins in its earlier acts than its urban ancestor.

Trevor (Finn Wolfhard, Stranger Things) and sister Phoebe (an excellent McKenna Grace) struggle to fit in to their new home town, while mum Callie (Carrie Coon) starts developing a relationship with summer school teacher Grooberson (Paul Rudd) and it’s here that the movie develops its own voice. But Elmer Bernstein’s Ghostbusters score is never far away, and the Eco-1, and the ghost traps… and the proton packs… and the… I’m not going to spoil any more, but by the end of the two hours you’ve experienced every beat of the original. Is it too much? I’d argue it is, because if you’re only revisiting former glories, why not just rewatch the 1984 fan favourite?

Verdict: No sacred cows are left unslaughtered in this love letter to Ghostbusters, which might love its subject just a little too much. 7/10

Nick Joy