“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”
For the ghost hunters it’s back to the roots
In Sony Pictures’ “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” the ghost hunters’ fire station in New York City freezes.
© 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved./ Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Back at the firehouse: The Ghostbusters return to their roots in “Frozen Empire.” With old stars – and a modern story.
The Ghostbusters return to their origins: In the new part of the series, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (in cinemas from March 21st), the Spengler family comes from Oklahoma to New York City and moves into the ghost hunters’ cult fire station…
That’s what “Frozen Empire” is all about
Callie Spengler, daughter of the late ghost hunter Egon Spengler, goes ghost hunting in New York in the refurbished Ecto-1 with her partner Gary Grooberson and their children Trevor and Phoebe. Until they not only run out of space in the fire station for their loot, but an old acquaintance of the original Ghostbusters also thwarts their plans in the form of Walter Peck…
But not only their opponents, the remaining ghost hunters from before are still active. Peter Venkman, Raymond “Ray” Stantz and Winston Zeddemore have developed a top secret research laboratory. When an ancient artifact lands there with a dark power lurking within, ghost hunters new and old must band together to protect their home and save the world from a horned deity and a second ice age.
Old and new stars for “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”
“Frozen Empire” is the sequel to 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Legacy” and brings back the new stars of the film series. “Ant-Man” actor Paul Rudd (54) again plays Gary Grooberson, the partner of Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon, 43). Together with Callie’s two children Trevor (Finn Wolfhard, 21) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace, 17) they get it in New York City not only deals with ghosts, but also the pitfalls of life as a blended family. Teenage Phoebe also struggles with authority and her feelings for a ghost.
The Ghostbusters family is also joined by “Eternals” star Kumail Nanjiani (46), who as Nadeem Razmaadi unknowingly brings the world to the edge of the abyss. “King of Queens” star Patton Oswalt (55) is now working as Dr. Hubert Wartzki lives in the basement of the public library.
Fans of the original films can’t just be happy that New York City is once again becoming the setting for the latest ghost hunter story. Bill Murray (73) aka Dr. Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd (71) as Dr. Ray Stantz and Ernie Hudson (78) as Winston Zeddemore make prominent appearances. Other stars of the original from the 80s can be seen with Annie Potts (71) as Janine Melnitz – this time in a Ghostbusters uniform – and William Atherton (76) as adversary Walter Peck.
Conclusion
Like its predecessors, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” provides scary fun. And this despite the fact that the actual villain doesn’t make a particularly big appearance. With so many main and supporting characters, this also applies to some of the other characters who are neglected in the film.
A love story between dimensions and Paul Rudd as an overwhelmed bonus father at least ensure that the Spenglers don’t get bored, even apart from the impending end of the world. Kumail Nanjiani provides additional fun. His character Nadeem lacks depth, but she’s always good for a casual line. With “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” director Gil Kenan (47) brings modern entertainment to the screen with a connection to the original from the 80s that sometimes seems too intentional.