Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews
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James does the character a fair tribute. This film succeeds largely due to her great impression of Streep’s original interpretation. Like the best retracings of characters, though, she paints enough outside the lines so we get to enjoy some amount of growth, even if we know where her story leads. Lily James deserves better than a sequel like this, even if she helps to elevate it to an above average film.
Hopefully, once they get past the #metoo stain, they can include Damon and the rest of the cast in a future film.
Just when it begins to get interesting, we are reminded that test audiences want to see point A go to point B rather than drifting off into infinity.
To be honest, I am just glad that Dan Akroyd didn’t get to fulfill his vision to force us to watch him on film again. Yes, he along with all of the other Ghostbusters are cameoed in the new film, but his role comes across like a fart in a windstorm.
I may never watch this film again, but I will not soon forget the image of Ryan driving his police cruiser, lights blaring, onto a field where kids are playing ball just to prove to them that he had a day job. Nor will I forget Justin getting the worst end of a wacked out naked fat guy in a hardware store. These moments, cheap as they are, have the resonance to me of all the cowboys eating beans around the fire in Blazing Saddles.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 