Film Review: ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ is Imperfect Evidence That Busting Still Makes Me Feel Good

I’m an easy mark for a Ghostbusters movie. The first film is damn near perfect, the sequel is definitely fun, and I was a big fan of Ghostbusters: Afterlife (as you can see here). So, my anticipation was pretty high for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, give or take the iffy title. Here, we don’t have the the same level of nostalgia fueling things this time around, but it’s very funny, and actually fairly action-packed. What the late Ivan Reitman (the film is dedicated to him) crafted 40 years ago has definitely changed, though the core of crowd-pleasing entertainment is largely the same.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has an unevenness and messiness that the prior installments never had. At the same time, it’s arguably the funniest installment since the original. So, there’s a sense of this being successful in fits and starts. Does the good outweigh the bad? Yes. Is it also the first sequel to really have warts to deal with? Also yes. So, I’m still recommending the movie, but there are some reservations here, unfortunately.

Following up the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the Spengler family, Phoebe (McKenna Grace), Callie (Carrie Coon), and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), alongside Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd), is back in New York City, working out of the iconic firehouse. When a successful call results in some damage, now Mayor Walter Peck (William Atherton) is once again determined to shut the Ghostbusters down. Taking advantage of Phoebe’s young age, he has her benched. While she mopes about, she encounters a ghost (Emily Alyn Lind) that she bonds with. At the same time, Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) is still dealing with the occult, while Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) is funding a secret research lab in Staten Island to take the business to the next level, with the help of Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts). The team is evolving, which is about to be necessary.

When Nadeem (Kumail Nanjiani) brings Ray an ancient artifact, it inadvertently unleashes an evil force, one that could bring about a second Ice Age. So, to combat it, Ghostbusters both new (including Celeste O’Connor‘s Lucky and Logan Kim‘s Podcast), and old (Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman), must team up. The result is all of the fun chaos you expect from these parapsychologists and busters in training.

While his role isn’t that huge, best in show here is Kumail Nanjiani, who is the comedic highlight. He’s a riot, playing what ultimately turns out to be a pivotal role. He’s close to just comic relief at the start, but he’s a core element by the end. If there’s another installment, I hope he returns. Speaking of the returning newcomers, as it were, Logan Kim and Celeste O’Connor feel a bit tacked on, but we see some evolution in the Spengler relationship. Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd as a couple is cute, as is the latter’s dealings with trying to almost parent. Finn Wolfhard gets much less to do here, though McKenna Grace is again more the star. The script lets her down (more on that in a bit), but she’s again good. As for the original crew, it’s just nice to see Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Bill Murray strap on the proton packs again. Supporting players include the aforementioned Emily Alyn Lind and William Atherton (I got a kick out of him again being a thorn in our heroes’ sides), plus James Acaster as one of the research team, Patton Oswalt, and plenty more.

Gil Kenan takes over directing duties from Jason Reitman, though both penned the screenplay. There are some sweaty moments, script-wise, and Kenan’s direction is somewhat generic, but the franchise moments you want are here. Returning cinematographer Eric Steelberg keeps the look from the last flick mostly here, just set in New York City. Dario Marianelli takes over as composer and does a fine job. The main issue here is Kenan and Reitman have really solid humor here up against a generic villain, as well as a subplot that really should have been left on the cutting room floor.

This sequel does have some nostalgia, but it’s also doing its own thing. Some of that works, while other elements decidedly do not. The subplot of Phoebe and her ghost friend is the worst aspect, and nearly becomes something awful, but the other highlights help to keep that from being too big of an issue. Some folks definitely won’t like how that element goes down, though. You’ll understand when you see it.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is closer to Ghostbusters II in terms of it having a forgettable quality, but it’s still more than enjoyable enough to recommend. Will I go back to it like I did the original? Of course not. Is it even as re-watchable as Ghostbusters: Afterlife. No, not really. At the same time, this is a fun blockbuster hitting in the early spring, as opposed to the summer, where it would easily have fit. An imperfect yet entertaining flick, busting still makes me feel good.

SCORE: ★★★