This summer will make it four full decades since we were first introduced to ‘Ghostbusters’, and theatres had never seen (and truthfully, hasn’t seen since) such a perfect mingling of comedy and supernatural sci-fi. So many solid moments from that film continue to stick with me forty years after first watching it.
Then you have the latest entry in the franchise, ‘Frozen Empire’. There are good intentions at work here, in fact I have to give the sequel high marks in sheer nostalgic determination. That said, solid isn’t a word I can safely repeat in describing ‘Frozen Empire’ – sadly, I’m shocked that any moments continue to stick with me forty MINUTES after watching this one.
‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ takes us back to the old firehouse in New York City as we follow the story of the next generation of Spenglers, introduced in 2021’s ‘Afterlife’. The prologue, also based in NYC, spins a yarn about a demonic spirit that terrorized the Big Apple circa 1904. Fast forward to present day, and hints that bad things could happen again, including the resurfacing of a creepy artifact, abound.
Director Gil Kenan (‘Monster House’) tries awfully hard to capture the late Ivan Reitman’s magic with ‘Frozen Empire’, but despite more consistent action than we were served in ‘Afterlife’, the whole exercise just seems so forced. When talents like Paul Rudd and Bill Murray seem bored to be here – well, in short, it’s kinda infectious. They’re bored, I’M bored.
I mentioned Murray, and the good news indeed is that he’s not only back, but so are his surviving ‘busters, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and even Annie Potts and Slimer show up. (Was really, really hoping Rick Moranis would make an appearance, but I do understand and respect that his retirement decision is likely final). The bad news, their return is minimized, allowing the new crew, Rudd, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard to nab the majority of the screen time. They’re not an awful ensemble. They’re just not the Ghostbusters. Add the likes of Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt, and things don’t really get much better, just more crowded.
Again, co-writer Jason Reitman, Ivan’s son, admirably attempts to toss the fan base a handful of callbacks (even going so far as to have Kenan re-create certain scenes), and that’s admittedly cool. But not enough so that I’m waiting with baited breath for the next adventure. The fact is, while my heart will always have a fondness for this series, it might be time to hang up those proton packs for good.