Get your Proton Packs and get ready to Light Em’ Up! The Ghostbusters are back! It’s been 3 years since Afterlife came out. It was a step in the right direction and a love letter for the fans. Frozen Empire returns with a new director, Gil Kenan who co-wrote Afterlife and directed a childhood classic, Monster House. He brings his expertise into this new movie. This is the first movie they’re doing after the unfortunate death of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original Ghostbusters films and pay him a nice tribute. Despite his death, Jason Reitman is here to carry on the torch.
All of the main characters from the older movies & Afterlife return in this one when they’re all sanctioned to NYC. Lucky and Podcast have their own internships associated with former Ghostbuster members. The Spengler Family is taking the reigns as the New Ghostbusters catching ghosts. There’s obvious teenage angst and tension with Phoebe as she’s gotten older and more arrogant. McKenna Grace shows her fantastic acting range as her character goes way over her head throughout the movie. Her behavior causes her and her family getting into trouble or danger throughout the movie and learns new inventions and new pathways forward. Gary Grooberson (Rudd) has an awkward position as the new stepfather in the family. And yet Gary and his children don’t have any labels or dynamics for each other despite dating Callie for a few years. Gary and Callie struggle to connect and properly discipline Phoebe throughout the movie.
There are several references from the previous movies but it’s not overdone or tedious as it was in Afterlife. Practical effects are still used for the most part and are done really well for the film. There are shots and scenes that are genuinely scary. It gives the vibe of a true horror film at some moments whenever a character is danger. The soundtrack isn’t as impressive besides the main theme but it stands out towards the end for the final battle. For the villain, they give them a decent backstory shown through a certain type of visual storytelling. There are certain tropes, cliches, and corny humor that fits the tone of Ghostbusters but it’s often hit or miss.
Finn Wolfhard(Stranger Things, It) and Celeste O’Connor(Freaky, Madame Web) aren’t properly utilized for the film. They’re often used as comedic relief or reacting to events in the film. They take a backseat and don’t have much depth to them as the others. Although the older Ghostbusters have great roles as mentors. They take a backseat and allow the new cast to shine for better or worse. Ray, Winston, Janine, & Peter still have their moments even if they’re in the background. Some of the new characters in this movie shine including Lars Pinfield(James Acaster) who’s apart of a certain division from Winston’s company. He has his own moments of genius and comedic relief in limited time. Nadeem Razmaadi (Kumail Ali Nanjiani) and Emily Alyn Lind are heavily vital to the main villain. One of the confusing parts of the film is explaining the mechanics for some of these characters and their roles. For example, explaining how a certain trap affects ghosts and possibly other subjects.
Despite the issues, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is another fun and enjoyable entry in the franchise, however, it falls flat when telling a story that is just more of the same. There are no post credit scenes and there are some scenes cut from the movie previously shown in the trailer.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire releases in theaters on March 22.
