The latest installment in the Ghostbusters franchise, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, brings back the Spengler family and the original Ghostbusters for an action-packed adventure. What was expected to be a nostalgic treat, left us a little cold.
Nostalgia is a key element in Frozen Empire, as fans are taken back to the iconic New York City firehouse where it all began. The return of familiar faces and locations adds to the excitement of the film, as viewers are reminded of why they fell in love with Ghostbusters in the first place. The addition of a top-secret research lab and ancient artifact only serve to deepen the lore of the Ghostbusters universe, setting up Frozen Empire to be intriguing continuation of the story.
While Frozen Empire is certainly entertaining, some of us find it lacking in humor compared to previous installments in the franchise. The original Ghostbusters film was known for its witty jokes and memorable one-liners, while 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife successfully captured the spirit of its predecessor to a lesser degree. In comparison, Frozen Empire may fall short in terms of delivering comedic relief, which has been a trademark of the series.
Despite its shortcomings in humor, Frozen Empire still manages to deliver on action and suspense. The thrilling sequences keep viewers engaged throughout the film, making it a fun ride from start to finish at least. Seeing new and old Ghostbusters come together to face a common enemy adds depth to the story and showcases the camaraderie that fans have come to love about the franchise.
Frozen Empire is a worthy addition to the Ghostbusters universe, only because it’s offering fans an exciting new chapter in their favorite ghost-busting saga. While it may not reach the comedic heights of its predecessors, it still delivers on thrills and nostalgia. As long-time fans of Ghostbusters ourselves, we can’t help but appreciate seeing our beloved characters back on screen once again. That makes us feel lucky.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire may not be a perfect film, but it’s an enjoyable experience. With nods to past films and new twists on familiar themes, this latest installment offers something for both old and new audiences alike. Whether you’re looking for action-packed ghost-busting or just want to relive some nostalgic moments from your childhood, Frozen Empire is worth a watch. There are definitely worse ways to spend a couple hours.
The film was directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote it with Jason Reitman. It is the sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife and the fifth film in the Ghostbusters franchise. Frozen Empire stars Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson, Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler, Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler, Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler, Celeste O’Connor as Lucky Domingo, and Logan Kim as Podcast reprising their roles from Afterlife.
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton reprising their characters from the earlier films, while Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt also join the cast.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is in theaters now.
