Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire attempts to balance nostalgia with new elements. Director Gil Kenan takes over from Jason Reitman, paying homage to the original 1984 film. The story revolves around the Spengler family, who return to the iconic New York City firehouse. They team up with the original Ghostbusters to battle an ancient, evil monster accidentally freed from its prison. The film explores themes of legacy, family bonds, and the weight of franchise lore.

Character Development and Performances

The cast includes Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts reprising their roles from the 1984 hit. However, the descendants of Spengler—Carrie Coon’s Callie, science-whiz daughter Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), and perpetually annoyed son Trevor (Finn Wolfhard)—share the screen. Paul Rudd and Patton Oswalt provide laughs, but Finn Wolfhard’s character lacks depth. Overall, the performances are solid, though not exceptional.

Technical Aspects

The film’s visual effects depict the fearsome ancient monster impressively. The opening chase scene delivers thrills and banter, but unfortunately, the rest of the movie doesn’t maintain that energy. The historic firehouse and the iconic Ecto-1 add to the film’s nostalgic appeal. However, the editing and pacing fall short, affecting the overall experience.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Nostalgic callbacks and fan service
• Impressive visual effects
• Solid performances from the original cast
• Thrilling opening chase scene

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent character arcs
• Lackluster pacing and editing
• Underdeveloped new characters

Recommendation

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is an okay follow-up, but it doesn’t match the quality of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll find moments to enjoy, especially the nostalgic references. However, manage your expectations, as it falls short in certain areas. Worth watching for fans, but not a must-see for everyone.