Chilling Sequel: Ghostbusters Return to the Neighborhood in 'Frozen Empire'

"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" benefits from having original cast members return after 40 years, unlike the previous film "Afterlife" which kept it a surprise. However, their presence makes the movie feel crowded and lacks the emotional depth of the original, focusing too much on the wrong characters and resulting in a lackluster experience.

While the first film centered on Egon Spengler's daughter (Carrie Coon), grandkids (Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace), and her new partner Gary (Paul Rudd) accepting his legacy, the sequel gets tangled in teenage drama and introduces new characters without giving much significance to the original cast.

Bill Murray was always the comedic heart of the 1980s editions, but in the latest movie, his screen time is disappointingly short, despite answering the call seemingly without much enthusiasm.

The whole movie feels slightly scattered, taking too long to establish the latest supernatural threat. The biggest source of tension is focused on the brilliant 15-year-old Phoebe (Grace), who feels underappreciated in a petulant-teen sort of way, while also adjusting to her mom and Gary's unclear relationship.

Bill Murray reprises his role, briefly, in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire."

Bill Murray reprises his role, briefly, in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire."

Sony Pictures

The threat revolves around an ancient artifact that has the power to awaken a dangerous being with the ability to freeze the entire world. This artifact falls into the hands of Nadeem (played by Kumail Nanjiani), who initially only wants to sell off his grandmother's collection but finds himself reluctantly pulled into the dangerous plot.

After Jason Reitman directed the last film following in his father Ivan Reitman's footsteps, Gil Kenan takes over as director for this installment. He once again collaborates with Reitman on the script, with the film dedicated to Ivan, who passed away in 2022.

Despite numerous references to the original movie and the return of actors like Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton, "Frozen Empire" falls short in consistently evoking nostalgia. The backstory of the Spenglers, paying homage to the late Harold Ramis, was more effective than the current portrayal of the family, both as a group and as individuals.

The cast is undeniably talented and manages to create a few entertaining moments. However, the movie gives off a vibe of going through the motions rather than genuinely enjoying a trip down memory lane.

Despite this, it's doubtful that we've seen the end of the "Ghostbusters" franchise. Nevertheless, "Frozen Empire" comes across as a recycled version of the original concept.

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” premieres March 22 in US theaters. It’s rated PG-13.

Editor's P/S:

"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" is a disappointing sequel that fails to live up to the legacy of the original. The return of the original cast members is a welcome sight, but their presence is overshadowed by the film's overcrowded plot and lack of emotional depth. The focus on teenage drama and new characters detracts from the original cast, and Bill Murray's brief appearance is a particular letdown. While the film attempts to evoke nostalgia, it ultimately feels like a recycled version of the original concept.

Despite the talented cast, the film's execution is lackluster. The pacing is slow, the threat is underdeveloped, and the characters are underdeveloped. The film fails to recapture the magic of the original and instead comes across as a hollow imitation. While it's doubtful that we've seen the end of the "Ghostbusters" franchise, "Frozen Empire" is a forgettable entry that fails to do the series justice.