Wow, there are so many Ghostbusters to contact.
In cinemas this week, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is the sequel to the mostly enjoyable 2021 film “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” The latter, directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman who directed the 1984 original and its 1989 sequel, brought in a new generation of brave spirit-catchers while also featuring key legacy characters.
It's clear that the “Ghostbusters” franchise isn't ready to move on from the past.
“Frozen Empire,” co-written like its predecessor by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, who is now directing, also includes several generations of Ghostbusters. As a result, it doesn't feel as new as “Afterlife.”
Still, it's once again a quite enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours.
Following an introduction set in 1904 New York City where frozen people literally fall apart, we jump to present-day New York and catch up with the family at the center of the new movie, descendants of the late original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler. Mom Callie (Carrie Coon), son Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and daughter Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) are on the hunt, riding in the iconic Ghostbusters vehicle, Ecto-1, driven by Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd), who has gone from being Phoebe’s teacher to her, um, “step-teacher,” as he awkwardly describes it.
Supported by Ghostbuster-turned-philanthropist Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), the family now resides in the Ghostbusters’ former Tribeca firehouse, traveling by pole from their living quarters to other levels of the old building.
Another key character is once again Dan Aykroyd’s Ray Stantz, the former Ghostbuster who now spends his time purchasing old items which he eagerly scans for paranormal energy and hosts an online show with the assistance of Podcast (Logan Kim), who has moved to New York from Oklahoma along with the Spenglers, as has Lucky (Celeste O’Connor), Trevor’s friend.
We also see — and no complaints here — Bill Murray’s original Ghostbuster Peter Venkman making a brief but meaningful appearance.
We can also look forward to seeing some familiar faces, along with new additions like Patton Oswalt’s Dr. Hubert Wartzki, an expert in ghostly folklore, and James Acaster’s Lars, a scientist working with Winston’s new Paranormal Research Center. (Making his film debut, Acaster is a very imaginative comedian who brings out a few lab-related chuckles.)
However, the more important new characters are Melody (Emily Alyn Lind of “Gossip Girl”), a ghost trapped in this world who becomes friends with Phoebe, and Nadeem (Kumail Nanjiani), a local hustler who must accept his role as “the firemaster” for humanity to survive an upcoming danger.
The threat is Garraka, a scary demon with the ability of 'the death chill' who has been imprisoned in an old object for over a century.
With many characters to manage and a desire to keep the runtime reasonable, Reitman and Kenan do not attempt to give many of them storylines. The main exception is Phoebe, who is sidelined when her young age becomes a problem for New York’s mayor, who is not a long-term ally of the Ghostbusters. Meanwhile, Trevor is now 18 and wants to be treated like an adult, but “Stranger Things” star Wolfhard quickly becomes less important in “Frozen Empire.”
The most entertaining moments come from Nanjiani, the star of “The Big Sick” and “The Lovebirds,” delivering some funny lines as the increasingly significant Nadeem.
Overall, even though “Frozen Empire” is essentially following the typical ghostbusting actions, it remains enjoyable due to its likable cast. For instance, Rudd (“Ant-Man”) is his usual charming self as Gary, who is asked by girlfriend Callie to take on a more paternal role with her children, even if it means being strict at times.
Opinions may differ on this, but it's satisfying that, after building up the threat of Garraka, “Frozen Empire” doesn’t descend into an endless supernatural battle — unlike certain “Ghostbusters” films we could mention. There are ice spikes and proton packs aplenty in the climax, but we all know how it will end, so there’s no need to prolong it.
Including the disappointing 2016 reboot, “Ghostbusters,” “Frozen Empire” is the fifth movie in the series, and we anticipate a sixth won’t be too far off.
We wouldn’t mind that, but let's not invite so many people to that supernatural party.
‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’
Where: Theaters.
When: March 22.
Rated: Rated PG-13 for supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references.
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes.
Stars (out of four): 2.5.
