Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a near-perfect continuation of a beloved franchise
FILM REVIEW
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
4 out of 4 stars
Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
4 out of 4 stars
Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
A slime-filled fun time at the movies, with an extra scoop of nostalgia
If you were alive at the time, think back to the summer of 1984. Ghostbusters was THE movie to see that became a box office success grossing almost 300 million dollars worldwide. Plus, the movie's theme song by Ray Parker Jr. is not just an 80's classic, but also became a Halloween staple for almost 40 years.
Fast-forward to 2024, most of the cast from Ghostbusters: Afterlife returns for this film including Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard & McKenna Grace. What makes this movie extra special is all the legacy stars like Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Ernie Hudson & Annie Potts. Some of the new stars joining the film are Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt. If you don't remember the original film or haven't seen it, please go watch it before going to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire if you can. I"m not giving any spoilers, but fans who know the original will get plenty of Easter Eggs in this film. There are also tributes sprinkled to the film's original director Ivan Reitman, and star Harold Ramis. You'll hear the name Harold in the first scene where we see Dan Ackroyd. Egon will also be mentioned at many key moments in the film.
If you were alive at the time, think back to the summer of 1984. Ghostbusters was THE movie to see that became a box office success grossing almost 300 million dollars worldwide. Plus, the movie's theme song by Ray Parker Jr. is not just an 80's classic, but also became a Halloween staple for almost 40 years.
Fast-forward to 2024, most of the cast from Ghostbusters: Afterlife returns for this film including Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard & McKenna Grace. What makes this movie extra special is all the legacy stars like Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Ernie Hudson & Annie Potts. Some of the new stars joining the film are Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt. If you don't remember the original film or haven't seen it, please go watch it before going to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire if you can. I"m not giving any spoilers, but fans who know the original will get plenty of Easter Eggs in this film. There are also tributes sprinkled to the film's original director Ivan Reitman, and star Harold Ramis. You'll hear the name Harold in the first scene where we see Dan Ackroyd. Egon will also be mentioned at many key moments in the film.
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, there's an evil spirit named Garakka whose main power is freezing everything. Think of it as if Elsa from Frozen was a ghost and evil but without a Let it Go number to sing. This evil spirit has been locked away, until an ancient artifact gets into new curious hands and Garakka is released back into the world. Kumail Nanjiani is connected to this storyline and brings a hilarious twist reminiscent of Rick Moranis's character. There's also a major storyline with Phoebe (McKenna Grace) dealing with her age and wanting to be one of the grown-ups. So does Phoebe not fully realise that she still has a lot to learn, or is she the smartest in the room. That's something a lot of the teens in the audience can easily identify with, along with adults who reflect on that time of their lives.
Ghostbusters had made sure to keep its place in pop culture for almost four decades, with only five theatrical films and a short-lived 80's cartoon. The film does celebrate the original 1984 film and it's a great way to end the franchise. The series could also add another sequel which could easily happen and find a new generation of fans, end with this film and leave fans completely satisfied.
One last note, is you'll find Ray Parker Jr. 's hit single Ghostbusters in this latest film, and I'm happy they decided to keep the original instead of trying to remake or re-imagine the tune. There's also a hilarious moment with Paul Rudd when it comes to that song. This movie is meta, nostalgic, and finds a new chapter all at the same time.
Franchises like this can go on and on, Ghostbusters never feels like it's rushing to make more movies, but always just waiting for the perfect time and cast to tell the right story.
Star Wars should have learned a lesson from Ghostbusters in how they honor the legacy fans, but also move the story in a new direction and show how both teams can work together as one.
Ghostbusters had made sure to keep its place in pop culture for almost four decades, with only five theatrical films and a short-lived 80's cartoon. The film does celebrate the original 1984 film and it's a great way to end the franchise. The series could also add another sequel which could easily happen and find a new generation of fans, end with this film and leave fans completely satisfied.
One last note, is you'll find Ray Parker Jr. 's hit single Ghostbusters in this latest film, and I'm happy they decided to keep the original instead of trying to remake or re-imagine the tune. There's also a hilarious moment with Paul Rudd when it comes to that song. This movie is meta, nostalgic, and finds a new chapter all at the same time.
Franchises like this can go on and on, Ghostbusters never feels like it's rushing to make more movies, but always just waiting for the perfect time and cast to tell the right story.
Star Wars should have learned a lesson from Ghostbusters in how they honor the legacy fans, but also move the story in a new direction and show how both teams can work together as one.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, March 22
opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, March 22