TL;DR
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings the Spengler family back to NYC, but struggles to capture the emotional magic of its predecessor. While featuring thrilling action sequences like the Ecto-1 chase and impressive practical effects, the film is weighed down by too many characters, an overstuffed plot, and a lack of believable moments. McKenna Grace shines, and the original Ghostbusters have a bigger role, but their potential feels underutilized. Despite its flaws, it's an entertaining sequel with enough exciting moments to recommend, though it doesn't quite match *Afterlife*'s charm. Want to know if it's worth your proton pack? Read on for the full review!
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, we revisit the Spengler family, now residing in the iconic New York fire station. The team is kept busy with frequent ghost-catching activity, and the sight of the Ecto-1 traversing the city streets has become commonplace for New Yorkers. However, Phoebe (McKenna Grace), at 15 years old, is restricted from active Ghostbusting following a problematic encounter, deemed too young for the risks involved. Simultaneously, Ray Stanz (Dan Aykroyd) acquires a mysterious orb, which subsequently proves to contain their most formidable adversary to date.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying Ghostbusters: Afterlife and eagerly anticipated a sequel. Now, with the arrival of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, it’s noteworthy that director Jason Reitman (son of original director Ivan) has passed the directorial baton to Gil Kenan (screenwriter for Ghostbusters: Afterlife), a decision with mixed results, in my opinion.
A notable deficiency in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the absence of the emotional resonance that characterized its predecessor. This lack of depth prevents the film from truly excelling. Furthermore, the narrative suffers from an overabundance of characters, making it challenging to develop meaningful roles for each. This issue is particularly apparent during the final confrontation, where the sheer number of characters creates a sense of overcrowding within the confines of headquarters.
Another issue lies in the script’s occasional shortcomings. Certain plot developments require a significant suspension of disbelief, as the filmmakers don’t adequately establish the necessary groundwork for these events.
While these criticisms may seem harsh, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire undeniably delivers several impressive sequences. The opening ghost hunt, featuring the Ecto-1 racing through New York City, is exceptionally well-executed. The film also incorporates a substantial amount of practical effects, and the original Ghostbusters team has a more significant presence compared to the previous installment, although their potential still feels somewhat untapped. McKenna Grace continues to impress; mirroring her performance in Afterlife, she carries a significant portion of the film’s weight with remarkable skill.
In conclusion, I would still recommend viewing Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, resulting in an overall entertaining sequel. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Afterlife, the box office success of Frozen Empire suggests the likelihood of future installments in the franchise.
