Ghostbusters Frozen Empire - Review : A Heartwarming Family Film in Ghostly Garb

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

A Heartwarming Family Film in Ghostly Garb

★★½☆☆

 Solid as a multi-generational family drama, but lacking the edgy thrills of its iconic roots.

Lucky 13 Review

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Directed by Gil Kenan • 2024

Release Date

March 22, 2024

Rotten Tomatoes

42%

Letterboxd Score

3.0/5

Running Time

1h 55m

Official Synopsis

The Spengler family returns to where it all started—the iconic New York City firehouse—to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who have developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes a malevolent force known as Garraka, new and old Ghostbusters must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a literal second Ice Age.

Expanded Ensemble

• Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson
• Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler
• Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler
• Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler
• Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem Razmaadi
• Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman

Expanded Architects

• Director: Gil Kenan
• Screenplay: Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman
• Producers: Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, Jason Blumenfeld
• Cinematography: Eric Steelberg
• Film Editor: Nathan Orloff
• Music Composer: Dario Marianelli

Official Promotional Trailer

Production Info & Specifications

Financial Budget	$100 Million
Global Box Office	$201.8 Million
Capture Format	Digital (ARRI ALEXA LF) • 2.39:1 Anamorphic Layout
Primary Locations	London, England, UK • New York City, New York, USA
Production Label	Columbia Pictures • Ghost Corps • Right of Way Films

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
• Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
• The Originals: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson
• Studio: Sony Pictures

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.

The Full Analysis

Can a Ghostbusters movie still be good if it lacks significant laughs or scary thrills? This is the central dilemma of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. While this is not a bad movie, there are hardly any comedic moments to be found, and the visceral thrill of watching an affable gang battle evil spirits has largely vanished. Instead, the film brings a surprising amount of heart to the table, focusing on a mixed, multigenerational family at its core. On the level of a heartwarming family film, the production delivers a solid achievement, though whether that is what fans actually want remains a problematic question.

The franchise was originally conceived as an edgy, supernatural comedy-thriller, built around the sharp improvisations of Bill Murray in a serious, scientific world. Decades later, Ghostbusters: Afterlife served as a touching tribute to Harold Ramis, but its success necessitated this soft reboot where the original cast returns to chaperone the new generation. This shift into family entertainment has roots in the animated series, substituting sharp wit for morality tales and "silly fun," yet the downshift into this specific gear feels conflicting for those who yearn for the stakes of the original 1984 classic.

The production design and special effects are aesthetically handsome, successfully recreating the iconic firehouse and the frozen landscape of New York. However, the plot follows a somewhat predictable, cardboard storybook structure that avoids taking genuine risks. The young cast members deliver sincere performances, and seeing the legacy characters interact provides a nostalgic charm that bridges the generational gap. It is a landmark entry in terms of lore expansion, even if the actual suspense is lacking. The story prizes the concept of a "family unit" overcoming adversity over the high-octane, chaotic energy that once defined the brand.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire stands as a special, albeit safe, addition to the saga. It provides a sharp, satirical edge to the idea of "passing the torch" while ensuring the legacy remains accessible to a younger audience. If you are seeking a literal and figurative family coming together for a heroic cause, this film provides a powerfully invigorating, if not hilarious, experience. It marks a significant milestone in the franchise's evolution toward wholesome event filmmaking, ensuring that while the scares have cooled, the heart of the series remains a captivating curio for future generations.

🏆 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.

View on Letterboxd