Even the most beloved film series can lose their spark, and sadly, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire proves that even ghost-busting heroes aren’t immune to the curse of franchise fatigue.
I went into the latest installment with a shred of nostalgic hope, but I left the theater feeling like the franchise itself may need to be put on ice.
It’s not that Frozen Empire is entirely without merit. The special effects are decent, there are a few chuckles to be had, and the cast boasts a mix of familiar and fresh faces.
But those glimmers of promise aren’t enough to save the film from its biggest flaw: a sense of uninspired déjà vu.
Key Takeaways
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire seems to disappoint fans by leaning heavily on nostalgia and neglecting to offer a fresh or engaging story.
- The film suffers from weak pacing, an uninspired plot, and a reliance on flat jokes that miss the mark.
- Many critics see this entry as a sign that the Ghostbusters franchise has run its course.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Review
| Aspect | Rating (out of 5 stars) |
|---|---|
| Plot | 2 |
| Humor | 2.5 |
| Special Effects | 4 |
| Characterization | 2.5 |
| Respect for Legacy | 1.5 |
| Overall Rating | 2.5 |
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cast and Crew
| Actor/Actress | Character Name |
|---|---|
| Paul Rudd | Gary Grooberson |
| Carrie Coon | Callie Spengler |
| Finn Wolfhard | Trevor Spengler |
| McKenna Grace | Phoebe Spengler |
| Kumail Nanjiani | Nadeem Razmaadi |
| Patton Oswalt | Dr. Hubert Wartzki |
| Celeste O’Connor | Lucky Domingo |
| Logan Kim | Podcast |
| Emily Alyn Lind | Melody |
| Director(s) | Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman |
| Writer(s) | Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman |
| Based on | Ghostbusters by Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis |
| Producer(s) | Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, Jason Blumenfeld |
| Starring | Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O’Connor, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts |
| Cinematographer | Eric Steelberg |
| Editor(s) | Nathan Orloff, Shane Reid |
| Music by | Dario Marianelli |
| Production Companies | Columbia Pictures, Ghost Corps, Right of Way Films |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| Release Date(s) | March 14, 2024 (New York City), March 22, 2024 (United States) |
| Running Time | 115 minutes |
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Story Plot
The film’s plot centers around a new supernatural threat (naturally, it’s freezing things!), one that requires the old team and a new generation of Ghostbusters to suit up and save the world.
It’s a setup that sounds promising enough, but the execution feels rushed and underdeveloped. Instead of taking us on a thrilling ghost hunt, the film meanders with flat humor and uninspired action scenes until suddenly the stakes are cranked up to eleven in a desperate final act.
The problem with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is that it desperately wants to recapture the magic of the original films without putting in the effort required to make it feel earned.
The dialogue is peppered with references and callbacks that, instead of bringing smiles, mainly prompt sighs of recognition.
Technical Aspects
The one area where the film somewhat succeeds is with the special effects.
The new “ice ghost” is visually impressive, and some of the action sequences boast a degree of spectacle.
However, even the best CGI can’t compensate for a thin story and characters with less depth than a puddle.
The Ghostbusters Legacy Tarnished?
Perhaps the greatest frustration lies in the film’s handling of the 2016 Ghostbusters. While that reboot had its flaws, it at least attempted a fresh take.
Frozen Empire seems determined to ignore its existence, a choice that feels oddly regressive.
The characters we’ve known for decades are back, but the film treats them like cartoons rather than living and breathing people.
Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd stumble through their lines, their iconic spark extinguished. Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver get glorified cameos.
It feels disrespectful not only to the actors but to the characters the fans have loved for almost forty years.
Frozen Empire pushes the focus onto a group of young Ghostbusters. This could have been interesting, but instead, their personalities barely extend beyond stereotypes.
It’s a desperate ploy to attract younger audiences that rings hollow for those of us who have grown up alongside the franchise.
Also See: Road House 2024 Review: Better Than the Original?
Is There a Spark of Hope?
I must confess, a few moments in Frozen Empire made me laugh out loud. Paul Rudd remains as endearing as ever, and a new supporting character – a quirky conspiracy theorist – injects some much-needed absurdity.
Sadly, these moments are too few and far between to redeem the overall experience.
Comparisons to Past Ghostbusters Films
It’s impossible to talk about Frozen Empire without comparing it to its predecessors. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up:
| Movie Title | Critical Reception | Why is Frozen Empire Worse? |
|---|---|---|
| Ghostbusters (1984) | Universally Beloved | Had originality, clever humor, iconic characters |
| Ghostbusters II | Mixed Reception | Less polished but still had charm |
| Ghostbusters (2016) | Controversial | Offered a new team but divisive humor |
| Afterlife | Generally Positive | Revived the original’s spirit with updated themes |
| Frozen Empire | Largely Negative | Lacks originality, flat humor, disrespects legacy characters |
The original Ghostbusters is a genuine classic for a reason. It balanced comedy and the supernatural perfectly, with instantly memorable characters and brilliant performances.
Even its sequel, Ghostbusters II, while not as highly regarded, retained the core appeal of the franchise. The 2016 reboot, though imperfect, tried to do something new with its team of female Ghostbusters
Afterlife, however, was a nostalgic love letter to the original film, reviving the spirit of the series.
Sadly Frozen Empire feels like a pale imitation of what came before, stripping away the heart and soul that made Ghostbusters so iconic.
Is the Franchise Beyond Saving?
After the disappointment of Frozen Empire, the question arises: has the Ghostbusters ship permanently sailed? It’s hard to be optimistic.
Decades of uninspired sequels and reboots have eroded audience goodwill, and without a significant creative shift, it’s difficult to see how the franchise can regain its former glory.
However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Perhaps a spin-off focusing on new characters and concepts could breathe some life into the universe.
Or perhaps the time is right for a fully animated Ghostbusters series, allowing for more creative freedom and a reimagining of the franchise on a different platform.
FAQs
Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire worth watching?
Only die-hard fans of the franchise might find it mildly entertaining. Casual viewers are better off revisiting the original films.
Who is the villain in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
The villain is a newly-created entity, an “ice ghost” with freezing powers It lacks the fun and quirky personality of classic Ghostbusters foes.
Does Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire connect to Ghostbusters: Afterlife?
Yes, it directly continues the storyline established in Afterlife.
Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire a reboot or sequel?
It’s a direct sequel to the previous films in the franchise.
Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire better than Ghostbusters 2016?
Opinions will likely vary, but most would agree that while both films have weaknesses, Frozen Empire feels less imaginative and more cynical.
Final Verdict
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, unfortunately, marks a low point for the beloved franchise. It recycles ideas without adding anything new, and it misuses the charm of established characters.
While it isn’t without some bright spots, these positives cannot overshadow the overall sense of disappointment.
The future of Ghostbusters is cloudy. Perhaps it’s time for the series to rest for a while, or maybe the time has come for a drastic reinvention. For now, Frozen Empire is a film that fans would rather forget as quickly as a ghost fading into the night.
