Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - Who Knew? Bustin' Can Still Make Ya Feel Good

By John Kirk

Rating: A-

Charming, peppered with laughs, and possessed of a spectral streak of spooky adventure, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a film that does not fail its combined audience of long-time fans from the ‘80s or new ones who claim the Spengler Family as their own.

With the right combination of nostalgia and novelty, it’s spot-on for families looking for fun on movie night.

Family is the key theme in this film. The story starts with the Spengler family in the dilapidated but reliable Ecto-One in hot pursuit of a spectral ghost that’s terrorizing New York. The family, consisting of kids, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Mom Callie (Carrie Coon) and step-dad and former science teacher Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd) have taken up the mantle of the Ghostbusters and live in residence in the famous firehall.

When former Ghostbusters Ray and Winston (Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson) find an ancient artifact that holds a powerful spirit who threatens to end the world in a cataclysm of ice and a spiritual army, it’s up to the Ghostbusters and Nadeem Razmaadi (Kumail Nanjiani), heir to a family dynasty of spiritual protectors known as “Firemasters,” to keep their city and the world safe.  

Between laughs and the one-two punch of jump scares and intense ghost encounters, there’s a nice pace of action and comedy from the very beginning, giving the audience a chance to breathe and enjoy the thematic family moments. Peppered by poignant and enjoyable “call back” nostalgic moments, we’re reminded of what originally made this franchise fun.

But there are also the sub-plots that reinforce the family themes in this film. Teen-aged genius and grand-daughter of Egon Spengler, Phoebe wrestles with the challenges of wanting to grow up faster. She also must come to terms with a new family dynamic, in that her former science teacher from Oklahoma is now her step-dad.

She isn’t allowed to go on Ghostbuster missions because of her age and she also realizes how lonely she is, isolated by her intelligence. It’s a well-worn but tried and true storyline that fits well in a family themed milieu. She reaches out for friendship from an unexpected source which plays well into the adventure.

Likewise, the former Mr. Grooberman trying to establish himself as a father-figure in the new family dynamic reinforces that family-oriented theme. As does the fact that the script was co-written by Jason Reitman, and the late Ivan Reitman is listed as a producer also reflects that family dimension. The film is dedicated to Ivan and that feels right.

For me, it was seeing the original cast back in action again that also added to the enjoyment. The idea of the next generation of Ghostbusters was already established in the 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife in a poignant enough way, but this makes the appearances of the veteran performers of this franchise even more special and appreciated. They’re not just the surprise appearances of the 2021 film, but established and welcomed as a permanent part of the continuing saga.

In terms of return performances, it was wonderful to see familiar ghosts like Slimer or the Library Half Torso Apparition or the miniature Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man appearing in new ways. But to see William Atherton reprise his role as Walter Peck, now the Mayor of New York, was more than enough nostalgic fun for me.

Newbies Patton Oswalt and Nanjiani add an extra layer of entertainment to the film. And while they are appreciated, I can’t help but miss Rick Moranis’s character from the original first two films. Seeing how Louis turned out in this generation would have added more enjoyment, especially after seeing Annie Potts in her reprised role of Janine Melnitz!

When you hear that original theme song from 1984 by Ray Parker, Jr., you are transported back to that first time, when the concept of “ghostbusting” was new. Its presence in this film allows for a sense of continuance – a cementing bond between the times. The 2021 film established that bond, but this film could be the first in a generational set of sequels that ensures further fans of the franchise. I, for one, would welcome the continued adventures of the Spengler Ghostbusting family..      

I mean, who else are you gonna call?

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Directed by Gil Kenan. Starring Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts. In theatres Thursday, March 21.