What does Ghostbusters: Afterlife's emotional 'for Harold' ending mean?
Bronwyn O Neill
Ghostbusters is back in the cinema! Ghostbusters: Afterlife is introducing a whole new generation to the beloved franchise.
And parents who loved the original and are bringing their children to the cinema will be delighted to see the nods to the original.
The new film is from director Jason Reitman who just so happens to be the son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman.
Unlike the 2016 all-female Ghostbusters, this new reboot pays homage to the original 1984 franchise much to the delight of fans.
Paul Rudd in Ghostbusters: Afterlife Pic: Sony Pictures
This means that the film is filled with throwback and nods to the original, from the minutes the film begins until even after the credits role.
However, there is one moment that may have raised eyebrows in the cinema.
We're getting into spoiler territory, so if you haven't seen Ghostbusters: Afterlife turn back now!
Thanks to Marvel movies, there is no way for you to leave the cinema before the credits have finished rolling. So make sure you stay firmly in your seats when you see Ghostbusters as there is a mid-credit scene.
However, it's the ending which will bring a tear to your eye!
Jason Reitman met the original Ghostbusters cast when he was just six years old and was immediately a fan of Harold Ramis who played the bespectacled, Egon Spengler.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife Pic: Sony Pictures
Heartbreakingly, the comedy legend died in 2014 at age 69 from complications from inflammatory vasculitis.
In fact, the director was so inspired by this character that he based his new film around Egon's single-mom daughter and her two children who have inherited Egon's decaying farmhouse in Oklahoma.
The farmhouse comes with the responsibility of keeping the world safe from malevolent spirits.
Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray Pic: Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock
To pay tribute to the great comedian, the film's final scenes see the ghost of Egon materialise to help his grandchildren and his original fellow Ghostbusters — played by Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson — beat back the ancient, god-like evil spirit Gozer.
Before he vanishes back into the ether, Egon makes peace with his daughter and salutes his Ghostbusting biddies. As Egon's ghost returns to the beyond, the dedication 'For Harold' appears against the night sky.
We told you, it would bring a tear to a glass eye!
Harold Ramis Pic: Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock
Ahead of the film's release, the director told The Times, 'There would be no 'Ghostbusters' without Harold, without his brilliant writing and his frame of reference.
'It was deeply moving to play the scene because I loved him and I miss him. He was just so funny and intelligent. Harold was a genius from Second City all the way through his career.'
When the credits begin to roll, you'll want to stay firmly in your seat as there is a mid-credit scene that hints at a possible sequel!
Sigourney Weaver returns as her role of Dana Barrett as she and Bill Murray's character, Venkman's ESP machine as Dana holds up a card and tests Venkman's ability to guess the shape on the other side.
In the new Ghostbusters scene, Dana soon realizes that Venkman marked the cards (thus knowing how to answer them) and starts shocking him for his deceit. He then reveals that he only shocked the male students...okay...
The second credits scene hints at what could be next for the franchise when Janine, the original Ghostbusters receptionist visits Winston Zeddemore at his office. Since his ghostbusting days, Winston has become a successful businessman, but as his earlier cameo suggested, he still holds a fondness for his old profession.
Their conversation focuses on legacy, as he started his business for his kids so that they could have a good life. We then see him return to the old fire station where everything started with the iconic Ecto-1 car arriving with him, hinting that this could be the beginning of something else!
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