Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is ideal for fans of the franchise. Anyone outside that circle, however, may not be as forgiving. Though the film features several solid moments, it juggles a Koosh ball of plot threads. Despite ample comedic moments throughout, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire never solidifies into a tight narrative. In many ways, it feels like a sketch show more concerned with fan service, nostalgia bait, and world building than telling a story.
Events take place a few years following Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The Spengler family is now settled in New York, taking up residence in the old familiar firehouse, and fervently keeping ghostbusting alive. Aided in that endeavor is the generous assistance, fiscal and informational, of founding members --- Winston, Ray, and Venkman. Bureaucratic nemesis Walter Pecker, now mayor of the city, is looking for any excuse to shutdown the operation, and simply doing their job is unfortunately offering reason enough. However, an ancient evil is rising that threatens the world. With the apocalypse looming --- who you gonna call?
Events take place a few years following Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The Spengler family is now settled in New York, taking up residence in the old familiar firehouse, and fervently keeping ghostbusting alive. Aided in that endeavor is the generous assistance, fiscal and informational, of founding members --- Winston, Ray, and Venkman. Bureaucratic nemesis Walter Pecker, now mayor of the city, is looking for any excuse to shutdown the operation, and simply doing their job is unfortunately offering reason enough. However, an ancient evil is rising that threatens the world. With the apocalypse looming --- who you gonna call?
Dan Aykroyd and Kumail Nanjiani as Ray Stantz and Nadeem Razmaadi. © Sony Pictures.
Apparently, everyone. There’s no shortage of potential protagonists in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. That wouldn’t be problematic if it didn’t take time away from storylines. The issue is that the cast is so bloated there’s barely time to understand why anyone is here. Peripheral characters, even those recurring from previous films, often seem tacked on with barely any purpose. Rather than cutting the cast, allowing the story to focus, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire tries to include everyone which ultimately means telling no one’s story satisfactorily.
There’s almost no reason for Finn Wolfhard to be here. Celeste O’Connor returns as Lucky Domingo in split second scenes. James Acaster plays a new character named Pinfield who feels completely superfluous. And though none of these roles are poorly performed, they serve so little purpose the characters border on drive-by cameos and whatever the Ghostbuster equivalent of red shirts might be.
Some of this stems from the clear desire to devote time to world building. Although Afterlife spent similar screentime expanding the lore, it did so in a way that served the story it was trying to tell. Frozen Empire, however, jams in expanded content fans may find engaging, but which doesn’t do much for the story. It’s like adding a detour to what could have been a straightforward trip. As such, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a shotgun blast of themes. Some of which include but are not limited to joining a family as a stepparent, youth struggling to be taken seriously, and the old guard wanting to take up the cause again. Each gets little more than lip service, but they are there.
There’s almost no reason for Finn Wolfhard to be here. Celeste O’Connor returns as Lucky Domingo in split second scenes. James Acaster plays a new character named Pinfield who feels completely superfluous. And though none of these roles are poorly performed, they serve so little purpose the characters border on drive-by cameos and whatever the Ghostbuster equivalent of red shirts might be.
Some of this stems from the clear desire to devote time to world building. Although Afterlife spent similar screentime expanding the lore, it did so in a way that served the story it was trying to tell. Frozen Empire, however, jams in expanded content fans may find engaging, but which doesn’t do much for the story. It’s like adding a detour to what could have been a straightforward trip. As such, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a shotgun blast of themes. Some of which include but are not limited to joining a family as a stepparent, youth struggling to be taken seriously, and the old guard wanting to take up the cause again. Each gets little more than lip service, but they are there.
Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler. © Sony Pictures.
That said, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire does have its charms. The film is comedic throughout. Several laugh-out-loud moments abound. Paul Rudd is a delight whenever onscreen, managing to be serious yet comical however the moment demands. There are plenty of instances that will have audiences chuckling enthusiastically. Yet, if one were to complain, it would be that every character is a quick wit quip artist. Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire can get a little dull comedically with every other line of dialogue featuring a sarcastic comeback. Still, much of the humor is amusing throughout, and I doubt many will leave without a smirk.
The opening, which takes place in the past, is fabulously creepy. Often Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire walks the fine line between horror and comedy as admirably as its predecessors. When it leans into horror it provides proper chills. Some scenes are guaranteed to add nightmare fuel. It’s just a shame there aren’t more.
One thing that doesn’t work is a lot of the nostalgia bait. Afterlife featured similar instances, but managed to use them in ways that furthered the narrative. What occurs in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire feels like serotonin triggers distracting from the film’s flaws rather than narrative expansion. Still, fans are likely to squeal with glee when they see things like the Ecto-C. And frankly, they should.
The opening, which takes place in the past, is fabulously creepy. Often Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire walks the fine line between horror and comedy as admirably as its predecessors. When it leans into horror it provides proper chills. Some scenes are guaranteed to add nightmare fuel. It’s just a shame there aren’t more.
One thing that doesn’t work is a lot of the nostalgia bait. Afterlife featured similar instances, but managed to use them in ways that furthered the narrative. What occurs in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire feels like serotonin triggers distracting from the film’s flaws rather than narrative expansion. Still, fans are likely to squeal with glee when they see things like the Ecto-C. And frankly, they should.
Scene from Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. © Sony Pictures.
Most of the movie seems like it’s made for a specific audience. In an interesting way, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire feels closer to The Real Ghostbusters animated series than the film franchise. And while that appeal is fair for devotees of the overall fictional universe, it may not translate to delight for general audiences. I suppose to put things in perspective, leaving the press screener I overheard an enthusiastic child who sounded over the moon having seen this film.
That joy is thanks in no small part to a fabulous cast. While the founding Ghostbusters return --- Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray --- to do a solid job, the real stars are the newer roles. Mckenna Grace remains a lynchpin in the quality of this franchise. She delivers some of the most heartfelt moments in the movie. Kumail Nanjiani adds some charming quirkiness somewhat reminiscent of Rick Moranis, while Emily Alyn Lind provides a rarely seen friendly ghost that is relatably tragic.
However, even when well performed, some roles feel shallow. Bill Murray and Annie Potts seem like they did a day of shooting, and while I’m sure they did more, their parts border on those aforementioned drive-by cameos. Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon don’t get enough screen time to flesh out their situation, a shame considering how well they work together, and their plot potential.
That joy is thanks in no small part to a fabulous cast. While the founding Ghostbusters return --- Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray --- to do a solid job, the real stars are the newer roles. Mckenna Grace remains a lynchpin in the quality of this franchise. She delivers some of the most heartfelt moments in the movie. Kumail Nanjiani adds some charming quirkiness somewhat reminiscent of Rick Moranis, while Emily Alyn Lind provides a rarely seen friendly ghost that is relatably tragic.
However, even when well performed, some roles feel shallow. Bill Murray and Annie Potts seem like they did a day of shooting, and while I’m sure they did more, their parts border on those aforementioned drive-by cameos. Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon don’t get enough screen time to flesh out their situation, a shame considering how well they work together, and their plot potential.
Scene from Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. © Sony Pictures.
Quality CGI provides some solid ghostbusting scenes. Unfortunately, none of the action carries much weight. Whatever stakes Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire builds it undercuts instantly to keep the story going without turbulence. It’s almost as if the filmmakers never want the audience to worry about the heroes.
Director Gil Kenan does a decent job shooting the movie, but the lack of narrative tension keeps it from feeling compelling. Though a bit of horror and high-quality comedy occur throughout, the ultimate plot line is a mess that ends unsatisfactorily. Although fans may delight; Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is, at best, a single viewing worth streaming once --- entertaining but no need to see in theaters.
Director Gil Kenan does a decent job shooting the movie, but the lack of narrative tension keeps it from feeling compelling. Though a bit of horror and high-quality comedy occur throughout, the ultimate plot line is a mess that ends unsatisfactorily. Although fans may delight; Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is, at best, a single viewing worth streaming once --- entertaining but no need to see in theaters.
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