GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE REVIEW

The historic Ghostbusters franchise returned to theatres earlier this month with the latest installment in the series, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. After the success of the proverbial love letter to Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, along with a fresh, exciting new central cast, expectations going into Frozen Empire were high. 

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Spoilers Ahead:

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Frozen Empire takes us back to New York City, with the central plot revolving around the historic firehouse. The film even pays homage to Hook & Ladder 8, which is the actual working firehouse in New York City where the exterior of the Ghostbusters Headquarters is filmed. Phoebe (McKenna Grace) still struggles with making social connections, Gary (Paul Rudd) tries to embrace his role as her father figure, and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) has an amazing subplot with our favorite green poltergeist, Slimer, which I would love to have seen more of. Naturally we are treated to cameos and co stars, the likes of Annie Potts, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson who still looks incredible. 

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Winston (Hudson), has bought back the firehouse and even created a Ghostbusters Tech Team, adding a few new characters, and a bunch of cool new tech. A lot of the film revolves around this new Ghost Laboratory of sorts, allowing for some convenient plot points and character arcs. At times too convenient. 

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The main villain is as always, an ancient monster and/or deity returning to Earth after years in capture. This villain known as Garraka, escaped capture and returns to New York City with "The Death Chill" and other ice powers. This final boss was not the strongest character, and felt more like a ghost of the week during an episode of The Real Ghostbusters. The introduction of Garraka allowed for the arrival of Nadeem (Kamil Ali Nanjiani, who is amazing in everything) the hopeful hero and fire dancer, the perfect counter to our villain. Nanjiani provides a lot of comic relief, but not to be outdone by Bill Murray's constant quips. 

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Phoebe has the main story arc in this one, as ghost-busting and science are the only things she cares about. That is, until she meets a ghost girl played by Eminly Alyn Lind. Phoebe, who does not have a lot of friends, is fascinated by her, and goes to extreme lengths to spend time with someone she feels truly understands her. Ultimately, Phoebe is betrayed by this spirit, foreshadowing a somewhat obvious redemption arc at the film's conclusion. Nevertheless, a very endearing performance by Grace here. 

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The film is solid, but as a lifelong Ghostbusters fan, I selfishly wanted a lot more. It's not lost on me that I got to watch the Ecto-1 speed through the streets of New York City again, as I even got a bit choked up a few times hearing that iconic siren. We even got a few cool easter eggs. Seeing the advancement of the stories of the original Ghostbusters along with Potts in full uniform and the Slimer subplot really made me smile. Even a few of the callbacks to Afterlife, particularly the beginning of the chess scene got me.

 

Even though I got all of my favorite Ghostbusters guilty pleasures, the movie left some substance to be desired, which absolutely hurts me to even write. I'm glad we have more Ghostbusters, more Ghostbusters food and merch, and Ghostbusters celebrations around the globe. However, Frozen Empire simply can't be the final act in this historic franchise. 

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6.8 out of 10