Ghostbusters Frozen Empire

 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

A Heartwarming Family Film in Ghostly Garb

★★½☆☆

Watched 27 Mar 2024 — Solid as a multi-generational family drama, but lacking the edgy thrills of its iconic roots.

Directed by Gil Kenan, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire finds the franchise shifting gears into wholesome family entertainment. While it remains a "not bad" movie, it struggles with a significant identity crisis: it lacks the big comedic beats and scary thrills that once defined the brand. Instead, it positions itself as a heartwarming story centered on a mixed family of several generations. It’s a literal and figurative coming-together of the old guard and the new kids, functioning more as a moral tale than a supernatural thriller.

"Can a Ghostbusters movie still be good if it doesn't have many laughs or any scary thrills? ... What we have here is a heartwarming family film. And on that level, it delivers solidly."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: [Gil Kenan](https://www.imdb.com)
• Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
• The Originals: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson
• Studio: [Sony Pictures](https://www.ghostbusters.com)

The Vision

The directorial vision moves further away from the edgy, improv-heavy "comedy thriller" roots established by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd in 1984. This entry feels more aligned with the animated series' "silly fun" and "morality tales" approach. Kenan focuses on the "chaperone" dynamic, utilizing the legacy characters to anchor a story about family unity and overcoming adversity. It’s a soft reboot that prioritizes sentimental heart over the sharp, scientific skepticism that made the original world-building so iconic.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Alternative Casting: The original 1984 film was initially written for John Belushi and Eddie Murphy. Murphy eventually passed to film [Beverly Hills Cop](https://www.imdb.com).
• The Firehouse Return: This film marks the first time the franchise has fully returned to the iconic [Hook & Ladder Company 8](https://en.wikipedia.org) firehouse in Tribeca as a primary base since 1989.
• Practical Slimer: The production team opted for a mix of CGI and practical puppetry for Slimer to capture the nostalgic feel of the original "ugly little spud."

✅ Pros

• Solid, heartwarming family dynamics at the core.
• Great to see the original Ghostbusters back in action.
• High production value and nostalgic set pieces.

❌ Cons

• Hardly any comedic moments or big laughs.
• Lacks the scary thrills and tension of the original.
• Feels a bit too "safe" for an edgy franchise.

🏆 Final Verdict

A conflicted transition for the franchise. If you’re looking for a wholesome family uniting for a heroic cause, you’ll find it here. If you’re looking for the edgy wit of Bill Murray’s heyday, you might leave feeling a bit cold.

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