By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
It is safe to say that Ghostbusters: Afterlife left me an emotional wreck! It was the perfect blend of nostalgia and creating something new. So I had high hopes going into Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – but did the “bustin’ make me feel good” this time around?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire delivered precisely what I hoped for – an entertaining journey within a universe and among characters I deeply cherish. The film abounded with callbacks, cameos, and subtle nods, keeping the spirit of the original movies alive while placing the Spengler family at the heart of the narrative. At times, it felt like themes and visuals were plucked straight from the Ghostbusters animated series and comics, seamlessly transitioning to the big screen. The musical score, a blend of both fresh and familiar tunes, added another layer of nostalgia, and the balance between practical and digital effects was just right, ensuring a visually captivating experience throughout.
Turning to the ensemble cast, which was extensive, Carrie Coon as Callie and Dan Aykroyd reprising his role as Dr Ray Stantz stood out as the most memorable performers. The newcomers, including Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem, Patton Oswalt as Hubert, and James Acaster as Lars, injected great humour into the proceedings, with Acaster delivering what could arguably be the film’s funniest line. However, with such a large cast, some characters were inevitably relegated to the background, receiving minimal development and screen time, which was disappointing. Nevertheless, each actor seized their moments effectively, contributing to the overall success of the film.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has its challenges. While the film’s plot is engaging overall, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the middle act. Some character arcs could, and should, have been developed further, allowing for deeper emotional resonance and connection with the audience. These issues are all side effects of the film’s biggest complaint – the bloated cast size. Too many characters are forced into the narrative, resulting in underdeveloped storylines and character arcs. I also feel Mckenna Grace, who was the best thing about Ghostbusters: Afterlife, is given the weakest material to work with, a close second behind Paul Rudd, whose humour rarely finds its mark, this time around.
With all that aside, I still enjoyed my time with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and I hope that it performs sufficiently at the box office to enable a third film to complete a trilogy. However, some tweaks are needed, including easing off the legacy characters and nostalgia and making the brave decision to trust the new characters and take the story into new and exciting territory. Oh, and more James Acaster, please!
Whilst not without its flaws, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a chillingly entertaining addition to the Ghostbusters franchise.
X-Geeks 