Ghostbusters Frozen Empire Review: Cool for Fans, But Doesn’t Quite Melt the Ice of Innovation

In their latest adventure, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” our proton pack-wielding heroes face off against a cold-hearted villain in the snowy streets of New York City, proving once again that there’s no ghost too big and no critic too cynical for their ghost-busting charm. Directed by Gil Kenan and co-written by a dream team including Jason Reitman, Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Kenan himself, this movie melds the nostalgic essence of the original with a fresh, icy twist.

The Ghostbusters franchise has always walked a fine line between the supernatural and the slapstick, and “Frozen Empire” is no exception. It’s as if the team strapped on their packs, looked into the face of cinematic redundancy, and declared, “We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!” With a narrative that ingeniously intertwines elements of adventure, comedy, fantasy, and science fiction, this installment is a cocktail as heady as Ecto Cooler, but with a flavor all its own.

At the heart of “Frozen Empire” is the Spengler family – Phoebe, Callie, and Trevor – who embody the spirit (pun intended) of the original Ghostbusters while introducing their own unique dynamics and quirks. They join forces with the beloved original cast in a narrative that is as much about passing the torch as it is about lighting up ghosts. The return of Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson to the ghost-busting gang adds layers of depth, humor, and a comforting familiarity, ensuring that the movie is as much a reunion as it is a sequel.

Unfortunately, “Frozen Empire” occasionally finds itself lost in the fog of its ambition. While admirable, the effort to blend the old with the new sometimes results in a narrative too crowded, with so many beloved characters vying for screen time that the film’s focus can seem as elusive as a ghost in flight. Furthermore, the reliance on a formula that has defined the franchise for decades, while comforting, occasionally feels more like retracing old steps than charting new territory. “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!” might be a bit of an overstatement, but the movie does teeter on the edge of chaos at times.

Yet, for all its spectral entanglements, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” remains a solid entry into the franchise. It captures what has made the series a beloved cultural touchstone: the blend of humor, heart, and the occasional horror. Introducing a chilling new adversary injects a fresh jolt of energy into the storyline, reminding us that the world of Ghostbusters is as expansive as it is enchanting.

In the end, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a movie that, like its predecessors, reminds us why we fell in love with these quirky, ghost-busting heroes in the first place. It’s a film that offers a warm embrace to those who have grown up with the franchise and extends an inviting hand to newcomers. While it might not capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the original, it delivers enough laughs, thrills, and spectral shenanigans to earn a respectable three out of five stars.

And indeed, despite its frosty title, “Frozen Empire” warms our hearts, proving the Ghostbusters are still very much in the business of saving the world, one ghost at a time.

RATING: 3.0 out of 5.0

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is available March 22nd, 2024 in theaters.

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