Review: GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE Takes Us on Spirited Supernatural Adventure
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire blasts its way into theaters this week and it offers a blasting stream of nostalgia, humor, and supernatural hijinks that captures the essence of what fans have loved about the franchise since it originally launched in 1984. This latest installment of the franchise, while not without its flaws, features all the things fans love about the supernatural comedy franchise with wild ghost encounters, great characters, silly comedy, and an enjoyable story
Frozen Empire is a fun ride, channeling the same entertaining energy that made Ghostbusters: Afterlife the big hit with audiences that it was. The movie straddles the line between paying homage to the past and doing something new, crafting a story that is both familiar and fresh. The filmmakers talked about how they drew inspiration from cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters, and you can definitely see the influence of that in the movie, imbuing it with a vibrant, almost live-action cartoon vibe. This direction adds a unique flavor to the film, acknowledging its roots while having some fun exploring new ground.
The story of Frozen Empire throws audiences into a chilling scenario where New York City is on the brink of a supernatural ice age, thanks to an ancient artifact and its malevolent guardian, Garraka. The plot reunites audiences with the iconic Spengler family and original Ghostbusters, Dan Akyroyd and Ernie Hudson, who receive a generous amount of screen time, which was great to see. However, Bill Murray's Peter Venkman is relegated to what feels like a glorified cameo, and I would have loved to see more of his trademark wit.
The inclusion of Patton Oswalt, Kumail Nanjiani, James Acaster, and Emily Alyn Lind alongside veterans like Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and Mckenna Grace injects new energy into the ensemble, creating a dynamic interplay between the old guard and the new recruits. Their performances, under the direction of Gil Kenan, breathe life into the film's ambitious vision.
While Frozen Empire excels in spectacle and humor, its climax with Garraka could’ve been a little better. I really liked what the story did with the villain and how they built up this awesome lore for it. The buildup to the final showdown is ripe with tension and intrigue, thanks to that carefully crafted lore surrounding the villain, but the execution lacks the climactic punch that the movie builds up. Regardless, the movie remains an enjoyable adventure, delivering some thrilling action sequences, amusing callbacks, and some enjoyable ghost-busting action.
One other thing I liked about the movie is how it fused supernatural elements with fantasy, which hasn’t really been explored in the franchise like this before. When you watch the film, you’ll see what I mean. There were some aspects of the movie that reminded of Dungeons & Dragons in a way.
This approach adds some depth to the movie's lore, introducing ancient artifacts and mythical villains like Garraka, which opens gateways to new adventures and challenges. This move into fantasy amplifies the stakes, demanding new strategies and alliances in the team’s mission to save New York City.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire embraces the whimsical and the weird, and despite its minor shortcomings, the film delivers a fun-filled escape for fans old and new. It's a spirited journey back to the heart of Ghostbusters, proving once again that when it comes to saving the world from the paranormal, who you gonna call?