From Joe Peltzer

I have long argued that the Ghostbusters franchise has overstayed its welcome, that in a world with limitless horrors each and every day, ghosts as they’re presented in these films just don’t have the same impact they once did. Writer/director Gil Kenan has proven proven me wrong with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, a film that absolutely captures the fun, the excitement, the heart, and the comfort of the early films while making me fall in love with the Ghostbusters all over again.

Returning to New York City and the iconic firehouse that is synonymous with the films, the Spengler family teams up with Ghostbusters of the past to take on an evil force unleashed on the city, threatening the entire world with a frozen future. Returning members of the family include Paul Rudd (Gary), Carrie Con (Callie), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor), and McKenna Grace (Phoebe). Make no mistake, this sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife is very much Grace’s film. The character of Phoebe struggles throughout with her age not allowing her to be an active member of the Ghostbusters, despite her immense intelligence and knowledge, thanks to the ongoing threat to break up the team from the city’s mayor (a returning fan favorite). Grace is a strong, young performer who is given the space to stretch her wings here. Whereas the first film drove home the importance of family, reaching into the past and setting up the future, Frozen Empire builds on that while allowing the characters to take centerstage alongside the ghosts we all love. The film may admittedly be light on said ghosts, but the way in which the included specters are used is intentional and more meaningful than in the past.

Rudd is so relaxed and chill in this follow-up that you can’t help but love him; his one-liners are corny, but adorable and even include fun plays on familiar references. Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt are also welcomed additions to the cast, their performances on par with what you would expect from the actors… silly, quippy, and perfect for their roles. Oswalt himself is a scene-stealer in his limited screen time. Sadly Celete O’Connor’s Lucky and Logan Kim’s Podcast are largely sidelined and relegated to forgettable inclusions, as is Coon’s Callie (largely); there are some nice scenes with Rudd and the kids regarding parenting and the family, but they come and go quickly. Bernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray are used just enough and, in my opinion, perfectly for this new tale, their characters’ histories informing the third act greatly and fitting well into the narrative. I just wish we saw more of Annie Potts as Janine.

There is a lot to love for old Ghostbusters fans, from the Ectomobile speeding down NYC streets to updated Ghost Traps that are downright cool. We even see Slimer return, sharing silly and fun moments with Wolfhard’s Trevor, even if they don’t really impact the story overall. We ultimately end up with an ancient evil force threatening to take over the world, much like previous films, that feels familiar yet comfortable. Frozen Empire is strung with the pure DNA of what made the original two films so successful; family, fun, ghosts, and a wild ride to stop the bad guy. The third act’s big battle with said bad guy may be a bit underwhelming; more development would have made the “tall, dark, and horny” villain more menacing, but it still works. Whereas Afterlife was set in Oklahoma, Frozen Empire brings us back to NYC with much of the film’s events taking place in the firehouse. It feels like a smaller scale than the previous film, but it also feels intimate.

The familiar score and fine effects support Kenan’s overall vision for Frozen Empire, delivering a film that is just good fun. It may not be the biggest blockbuster hit of the year, but this is a solid family film that will excite fans of the past and those unfamiliar with the series who may just be looking for a nice outing at the theater. For me, it showed that the Ghostbusters still have a lot of bustin’ to do and talk of the IP’s demise was premature. I’m ready for more.

Rating: 3.5/5

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hits theaters on Friday.

Follow Joe