Ghostbusters: Afterlife

If early reviews are any indication the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

After the disastrous 2016 Ghostbusters relaunch starring an all-female cast, the hope of having a true Ghostbusters film sequel to the two-blockbuster Ghostbusters films from the 1980s looked pretty slim.

But, the son of the original director of the first two films took it upon himself to rejuvenate the franchise, bring in new characters and situations and still pay tribute to the beloved films.

The Ghostbusters film franchise looks to be in good hands.

Hasbro Toys acquired the Ghostbusters: Afterlife toy license and the company was kind enough to send me some review samples of its toys.  It is much appreciated.

The Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Playset consists of a replica of the famous ambulance created for kids four years old and up.  I’m 68 years old and I think it’s great.

The vehicle is made of sturdy and rugged plastic and comes in several pieces that require assembly.  Don’t worry, even an old codger like myself had no problem piecing it together. Kid’s will have it together in no time.

Once the chassis and body are assembled you’re ready to hunt and capture ghosts.

Everything your expect to be on the Ecto-1 is there including the lights and equipment strapped to the roof, heavy chrome bumpers, doors that open and white wall tires mounted on wheels that actually work.  No kidding, this baby can move!

Where would the Ecto-1 be without its trademark Ghostbusters logo, red strips and other exterior markings?  They all come on a decal sheet.  decals peel off and attach to the car wit no glue or fuss.

The passenger twin doors open and presto the side seat flips out ready for a Ghostbusters team member to fire their Proton weapons.

Figures made specifically for the vehicle fit easily inside or on the swing out seat.

A specially designed attachable Proton firing mechanism attaches to the lower right of the seat and actually fires a plastic Proton beam!

The rear door opens revealing a drop down chamber housing a small mobile four-wheel Ghost Trap.  Ghosts don’t stand a chance even if they dodge the Proton beam they can still be trapped by the mobile trap.

It is an awesome vehicle that comes packaged in heavy-duty cardboard box decorated with photos and art of Ecto-1.  Instructions come inside with the vehicle.  Four figures to use with the Ecto-1 can be bought separately.

Where would the Ghostbusters be if there were no ghosts?  Exactly!   That’s why Hasbro Toys has created not one, not two, but three Ghostbusters Fright Features ghoulies action figures packaged in hanger/stand-ups.

Muncher is a four arm, two leg, aqua colored eating machine that has white eyes, a large gaping mouth with jagged teeth, a translucent belly and an appetite that won't’ quit even though sometimes his tummy can't hold all that he eats.

If it’s metallic, he'll eat it.  But be careful if you frighten him-puke! He’ll upchuck a round ball of rusty metal.  Simply hold down his upper left arm and whammo-the ball flies out of his mouth!

Like all three of the ghostly ghoulies Muncher is nicely crafted, has clever articulation and smooth consistent colors with not bleed over or sloppy edges.

The packaging is clear with the figure held in place by a form-fitting clear plastic cocoon and a Ghostbusters logo and image of the character decorate the front without obscuring the figure.  

Instructions for using the figure are on the back with text and an illustration.

The Stay Puff Marshmallow Man is a fan favorite.  Originally from the first Ghostbusters film he makes his return appearance and is featured in a new toy.

Sugary, gooey and soft the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man is anything but sweet.

All white and plump the figure wears a sailor cap with a red fringe, a large blue collar and a red bandana.

His fat arms are held high and his face is soft, fluffy and angry.

Push down his arms and the figure splits at the waist as it spins and reveals its gooey innards. S'more anyone?

Ya gotta love Slimer.  After all he's the one who slimed bill Murray in the first film.

The Slimer toy brings back the green, ravenous ghost with the huge mouth, red beady eyes and fat face.

His bulbous body is accented even more by his long arms, and large hands with long fingers.

The toy figure’s mouth opens up almost the entire height of the figure when is arms are brought up to the height of his head.  

Talk about a big mouth!  Check out his huge white teeth, large tongue and huge cavernous moth with slim flowing down from the roof!  Yuck!

While there are five Plasma Series 6-inch Ghostbusters action figures of the new cast members Hasbro sent me two to review: Podcast and Trevor.

Both come dressed in classic Ghostbusters jumper suits albeit they are a bit dirty and grimy.

They come in standup/hanger Ghostbusters Afterlife Plasma Series boxes with clear front panels, a large Ghostbusters logo on the lower front with the name of the character predominant besides it.  

To remove a figure from the box simply pull out the blue background scene that consists of a schematic/blueprint of the Ecto-1, Proton Packs and other Ghostbusters equipment images.

The schematic makes a perfect background for the posed figure.

The figures are beautifully sculpted.  I suspect they were 3D scanned from the actors themselves.

Both are fully articulated with cleverly hidden joints and swivel points.  The rumpled clothing hides the joints.  The figures also include pieces of the Sentinel Terror Dog that when all combined together from the five new cast members and the three original Ghostbusters figures make the complete Sentinel Terror Dog.

Included with the raven hair Podcast figure are a pair of ghost goggles, a remote control/communication device, a skull candle, two blobs of Protoplasm made from miniature Stay Puff Marshmallow figures and a single miniature Stay Puff figure.  All fit snuggly in a clear plastic form-fitting cocoon.

Sculpting-as with all the Plasma Series figures, is first-rate as is the coloring, articulation and especially the likeness tot the actual film character.

I am amazed a the facial features on the figures with the careful attention given to the eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth.

The wrinkles and folds in the clothing look real, as does the texture, shoes, belts, armbands and undergarments.

All of the figures’ hands are preset to hold the accessories with no slippage or wobbles.

Trevor is the second new character figure.  He’s slightly taller than Podcast.  He has longer dark hair and a slimmer face.

Included with the figure is a rolled up map on parchment paper, a string of partly formed Stay Puff miniature figures and an incredibly detailed Proton Pack with complete details and wand that straps to the figure's back.

It is remarkable example of miniature sculpt work with lots of dials, wires, tubes and weird tech.  

As with the Podcast figure the sculpt, coloring, articulation and execution of the figure is superb.

I about fell out of my seat when I saw that the original Ghostbusters characters of Venkman, Zeddemore and Stanz made up the balance of the Plasma Series figure. All told, eight figures make up the set.

Zeddemore, Stanz and Venkman look just like their movie namesakes only older or course.

All wear their classic Ghostbusters uniforms with name badges, utility belts, black shoes and gloves and multi-pockets.

Each comes with Proton Packs just like Trevor’s only theirs come with an attachable Proton stream of translucent blue.

Zeddemore come with a classified newspaper section, Venkman has his infamous mind reading set of cards with symbols and Stanz the Necromancer book.

It’s great seeing the old team back together again.

All of the Plasma Series figures stand on their own, easily hold their various accessories and are exact likeness to their movie counterparts.

What a great set of toys! From the Ecto-1 to the ghost figures to the Ghostbusters figures the entire Ghostbusters Afterlife series of toys are sure to be a big hit with toy and Ghostbusters fans and collectors. 

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”