IR Film Review: GHOSTBUSTERS - FROZEN EMPIRE [Sony]

The essence of the "Ghostbusters" is about blending horror and comedy. In many ways, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" does this better than any film since the first one back in 1984. This might be aided by the return of many of the original cast but also the difference in tone a director like Gil Kenan brings versus Jason Reitman. Kenan directed "Monster House" (albeit that was CG) but he knows dread. The imbalance is that perhaps he is not as adept at comedy. The only one who really seems to get the assignment and seems like he enjoys it is Bill Murray as well as Kumail Ali Nanjiani (especially when they are together by chance). Paul Rudd gets it too but he has to tow the line as the main story so his additions almost seem removed or too tongue-in cheek.

That, along with the family (Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace), seems a bit weaker this time. The one that has the most to do is McKenna Grace as the heir apparent but alot of that is buried in a little bit of woke messaging.If they can get past this family thing, her taking out on adventures all over the world taking down ghosts would be awesome. Dan Aykroyd helps the most in this regard but even he is relegated in certain ways to fandom although all are given their respect. The big bad has some good mythology and the story dots are connected. However there is no really iconic imagery (OK...maybe a couple shots) but the original "Ghostbusters" simply captured their time. That is what these movies can't capture even with the advent of CG. It doesn't feel quite practical and organic.

The reasoning of everything makes sense but the reality of this family battling ghosts in the city with not as many repercussions as one would think doesn't really feel real. But again, it is the world of "Ghostbusters" so one has to suspend disbelief. All said, the tone is much better again than any of the films since the first one plus it is back in NY where it belongs (though most of it was not shot there). The tech also helps it work (perhaps a Ghost Corps series would work better...again like Tomb Raider but with Aykroyd as Grace's Alfred of sorts) but the question is where Sony might push that. "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" is not great but it is good at many points but the irreverance which made the original great just cannot be re-captured. Only one line Bill Murray probably did on an improv really shows where we have been and where we are going. B

By Tim Wassberg