Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Director: Gil Kenan
Screenwriters: Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Kumail Nanjiani, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Patton Oswalt, William Atherton, James Acaster
The franchise returns with its second legacy sequel to the 1984 classic, aiming to balance the original’s spirit with modern blockbuster ambition. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings back familiar iconography and characters while introducing new threats and emotional beats. The film mixes large-scale visual spectacle with quieter, character-driven moments, creating an uneven but often entertaining experience.
The premise pits the new generation of Ghostbusters against a resurrected ancient force that threatens to cover the world in ice. The return to the old firehouse, familiar equipment like proton packs, and the recurring antagonist Walter Peck (William Atherton) provide connective tissue to the earlier films. At times the movie leans on callbacks and one-liners that fans will recognize, while attempting to expand the mythology with a more supernatural and visually striking antagonist — a presence introduced in a drifting fog and revealed only by its two glowing eyes. It’s a chilling visual that demonstrates the filmmakers’ skill with atmosphere and production design.
Visually the film delivers. There are standout sequences—one memorable freeze-and-shatter visual that captures a sense of grandeur and menace reminiscent of other modern blockbusters’ bold effects. These moments are well designed and often immersive. The production clearly benefits from a major studio budget; effects, creature design, and set pieces generally look polished and cinematic. The film’s cold, crystalline aesthetic in key scenes builds an effective mood that supports the story’s supernatural stakes.
Where the movie falters is in its tonal approach and structural choices. Recent franchise entries have shifted the series away from the pure spoof-comedy roots of the 1984 original toward a contemporary blockbuster model that blends action, family drama, and humor. That shift means the film frequently inserts broad, formulaic comedic beats: extended petty arguments intended to be funny by virtue of their length, awkward attempts at relief during tense moments, and familiar modern sitcom-style interruptions. Those choices often feel mandated by a modern studio template rather than arising organically from character or story.
Character focus centers on McKenna Grace’s Phoebe Spengler, whose coming-of-age arc is once again a narrative anchor. The film revisits themes common to contemporary franchise sequels: adolescence, identity, and the desire for agency in the face of adult expectations. These themes are handled competently and McKenna Grace gives a committed performance, remaining one of the franchise’s strongest presences. Her emotional beats often land because of her natural screen charisma and clear engagement with the material.
Kumail Nanjiani provides many of the film’s funniest moments and emerges as a scene-stealer, bringing warmth and sharp comedic timing to his role. Unexpectedly, British comedian James Acaster also delivers memorable, offbeat turns in his first substantial Hollywood part, lending a streak of absurdity that clicks more often than not. By contrast, several of the new lead players feel underused. Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon largely function as support for Phoebe’s story rather than fully developed characters. Finn Wolfhard’s Trevor, in particular, is reduced to fleeting appearances and a handful of throwaway gags, disappearing for large stretches and contributing little to the central conflict.
The returning original cast members are welcome, but their presence is mostly cameo-driven. Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd do meaningful work, though their characters now feel altered from their original incarnations. Bill Murray brings trademark deadpan humor in limited scenes, reminding audiences of his signature style, but he appears only briefly and primarily as a nod to longtime fans. These brief appearances provide nostalgia but do not substantially deepen the story.
Narratively, the film sometimes struggles to justify its Ghostbusters label beyond familiar aesthetics and occasional callbacks. With a few adjustments it might have served as a conventional first entry in a new franchise: big, flashy, and broadly entertaining, but lacking the distinct identity that made the original films special. The result is an agreeable but somewhat soulless summer spectacle — ironically apt for a movie about ghosts and the supernatural.
Despite its flaws, Frozen Empire has qualities worth praising: striking visuals, committed performances from its younger leads and standout supporting players, and a few genuinely exciting set pieces. Fans seeking modern blockbuster thrills with sprinkles of Ghostbusters nostalgia will find moments to enjoy, though viewers hoping for the sharpness and originality of the 1984 film may leave wanting more.
Score: 11/24
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