Review: GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE takes us on a lively supernatural adventure

Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire makes its way into theaters this week and delivers an explosive stream of nostalgia, humor and supernatural hijinks that captures the essence of what fans have loved about the franchise since it originally launched in 1984. This latest installment in the franchise, while not without its flaws, it features all the things fans love about the supernatural comedy series with wild ghost encounters, great characters, silly comedy and a fun story

Frozen empire it’s a fun ride, channeling the same fun energy he created Ghostbusters: Afterlife the great public success that it was. The film straddles the line between paying homage to the past and doing something new, creating a story that is both familiar and fresh. The filmmakers talked about how they drew inspiration from the cartoon series The real Ghostbusters, and you can definitely see the influence in the film, giving it a vibrant, almost live-action cartoon feel. This direction adds a unique flavor to the film, acknowledging its roots and having fun exploring new territory.

The story of Frozen empire thrusts audiences into a chilling scenario where New York City is on the brink of a supernatural ice age, thanks to an ancient artifact and its evil guardian, Garraka. The storyline reunites audiences with the iconic Spengler family and the original Ghostbusters, Dan Akyroyd AND Ernie Hudson, who receive a generous amount of screen time, which was great to see. However, Bill MurrayPeter Venkman is relegated to what feels like a glorified cameo, and I would have liked to see more of his signature wit.

The inclusion of Patton Oswalt, Kumail Nanjiani, James AcasterAND Emily Alyn Lind alongside veterans like Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn WolfhardAND McKenna Grace injects new energy into the ensemble, creating a dynamic interplay between the old guard and the new recruits. Their performances, under the direction of Gil Kenan, bring the film’s ambitious vision to life.

While Frozen empire excels in spectacle and humor, its climax with Garraka could have been a little better. I really liked what the story did with the villain and how they built this amazing lore around it. The build-up to the final showdown is full of tension and intrigue, thanks to that carefully crafted lore surrounding the villain, but the execution lacks the climactic impact that the film packs on. Regardless, the film remains a fun adventure, offering some thrilling action sequences, fun callbacks, and some fun ghost-busting action.

Another thing I liked about the film is how it blends supernatural elements with fantasy, which has never been explored in this way in the franchise before. When you watch the movie, you’ll see what I mean. There were some aspects of the film that were reminiscent Dungeons & Dragons in a way.

This approach adds some depth to the film’s lore, introducing ancient artifacts and mythical villains like Garraka, who open the doors to new adventures and challenges. This shift to fantasy amplifies the stakes, requiring new strategies and alliances in the team’s mission to save New York City.

Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire embraces the whimsical and strange, and despite its minor flaws, the film offers a fun-filled escape for fans old and new. It’s a lively journey into the heart of Ghostbusters, proving once again that when it comes to saving the world from the paranormal, who will you call?