Let’s be real, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was a bummer. Like, finding-your-childhood-VHS-collection-replaced-with-tax-filing-tutorials bad. All that reverence for old proton packs and spooky hearses felt less like a love letter and more like a funeral procession for the world’s finest paranormal comedy crew. And don’t get me started on CGI Egon – the dude was already a ghost, couldn’t we just let him rest?
But here’s the shocker: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire doesn’t suck. In fact, it’s dare I say it… kind of fun? Sure, it’s got the obligatory cameos and Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men cameos (those li’l guys must have the most tenacious agent in Hollywood). And of course, it opens with an eye-roll-inducing Robert Frost quote – because nothing says “goofy ghost hunting” like pretentious poetry.
**The Good News: Someone Remembered This Was Supposed to Be a Comedy **
Yet, despite all that, Frozen Empire pulls off a minor miracle: it’s funny. Shocking, I know. There’s silliness, gadgets, and even a whiff of that old pseudo-scientific nonsense that made the original Ghostbusters click. It seems director Gil Kenan and co-writer Jason Reitman finally realized this franchise was born from Dan Aykroyd’s delightfully deranged love of the paranormal, not from a bunch of dudes weeping over Kenner action figures.
The Glimmer of Hope: Phoebe, Ray, and a Mostly Fun Ghost-Busting Crew
Frozen Empire wisely centers on the best thing about Afterlife, the brilliant Mckenna Grace as Phoebe, an adorable Egon-in-miniature. Packed with proton-pack-wielding enthusiasm and a thirst for spectral knowledge that would make her granddad proud, Phoebe’s a breath of fresh air. Thankfully, the film doesn’t burden her with a precocious child genius routine. She’s a kid who just happens to be obsessed with ghosts and carries herself with a wide-eyed wonder that’s equal parts endearing and hilarious.
The rest of the family joins in on the spooky fun too. Carrie Coon sheds the exasperated mom vibe from Afterlife and embraces Callie’s newfound role as a reluctant but supportive ghostbusting mom. Paul Rudd, forever charming, brings his usual brand of sarcastic wit to the table as Gary, the ever-slightly bewildered stepdad. Even Finn Wolfhard gets a chance to shine as Trevor, who’s less angsty teen this time around and more goofy sidekick material, which absolutely works.
The return to New York City is another win. The film perfectly captures the bustling chaos of the city, reminding us why it’s the perfect stomping ground for a team of paranormal exterminators. From grimy alleyways to towering skyscrapers, Frozen Empire uses the iconic cityscape as both a character and a playground for its spectral shenanigans.
The old gang’s back together too, with Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts getting some much-needed screen time. While Bill Murray delivers his signature deadpan with practiced ease (and exits stage right the moment the director yells “cut!”), his presence adds a welcome layer of nostalgia. The film even throws in a peculiar wrinkle – a spectral love interest for Phoebe. It’s a cute subplot that injects a touch of sweetness into the proceedings, but it also raises some interesting ethical questions. Can a ghost even consent to a relationship with a living person? Is it exploitation or a weird form of spectral companionship? The film doesn’t exactly answer these questions, but it tosses them out there and lets the audience ponder while they’re busy dodging possessed pigeons and spectral hot dog carts.
The Less Good News: Bloat, Baiting, and Brit Comedians Gone Wrong
Is Frozen Empire perfect? Hell no. There’s bloat – a decapitated hand inexplicably playing a gramophone could’ve been left on the cutting room floor. Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, and the criminally underused James Acaster are sprinkled in, but Acaster’s brilliance as a delightfully unhinged scientist is tragically wasted as a plot-exposition guy.
The Verdict: Color Me Cautiously Optimistic
Look, this isn’t the Ghostbusters sequel of our dreams. But Frozen Empire feels like it might, just might, be crawling out of the grave dug by its predecessor. It’s a step in the right direction – funny, occasionally spooky, and full of genuine affection for the source material. Could this be…a future for the Ghostbusters franchise we can actually get excited about? Stay tuned, and bring the proton packs just in case.
One Last Thing: UAE Fans May Need a Little More Patience
Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a bummer for UAE fans. While Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has hit theaters internationally, and I was able to watch it while on a trip, its release in the UAE has been delayed. Keep an eye on local cinema listings for the updated release date (which should be May 9 for now), and in the meantime, try not to get possessed by any mischievous spirits out of frustration. Just think, it’ll make the movie even sweeter when you finally get to bust some ghosts on the big screen!
