Review: Is 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' a bust?

Before we dive into the newest "Ghostbusters" installment, let's rewind a moment. There was something I didn't like about "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" when it was released back in 2021. Set in the original "Ghostbusters" universe, the film reignited the brand and introduced audiences to a new generation of Spenglers, descendants of the brainy spirit chaser Egon Spengler played by the late Harold Ramis. In my review of that film, you can sense my hesitation; conflicting emotions pop out at me, rereading it for the first time some two-plus years later. There were plenty of positives. The film's build-up was good. The characters were well-rounded and well-acted. There was enough nostalgia to hook the series' loyal fan base, but also enough modern humor and updated CGI to incite a new batch of GB fans. On paper, writer-director Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman who directed the film that started it all, 1984's "Ghostbusters", did his father and collaborators proud.

But it was not a glowing assessment. One line sticks out from that review. Despite assumed rules about not recycling your writing for publication, I would like to break the law just once because the quote applies equally as well for this second installment as it did the first: "What starts out promising, with intrigue and wit to spare, slows to a crawl when it should be ramping into Ecto-overdrive."

As the journey through "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" begins, its throwback mystique is undeniably tantalizing: the spooky score reimagined this time by Dario Marianelli, based on the original by the late Elmer Bernstein; a return to the iconic lower Manhattan firehouse, home to real-life FDNY Hook & Ladder Company 8; and an action-packed opening that prepares audiences for the joke-filled, apparition-catching romp the audience should expect in the ensuing two hours. It's undoubtedly a promising start, directed by Gil Kenan and co-written by the younger Reitman (Ivan Reitman passed away in 2022, and the "For Ivan" before the end credits are in his honor).

Unfortunately, the film slows to a crawl right at the film's climax. What should be a swirl of excitement, a push for the film's foe to take charge and have us feeling like perhaps the good guys won't win this time, flops to its side and gives a weak-pawed fight? Having relocated to NYC from Oklahoma, the Spengler family (Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard) along with new Ghostbuster addition Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd) take on new petty ghosts around the city, culminating in their main villain this round, an ancient spirit that has the potential to freeze the world over.

In this rendition, a second Ice Age is the ultimate threat to humanity. It would be fun to say that this is some metaphor for real-life issues like global warming, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The Spenglers, barely scraping by as ghost exterminators in a city like Manhattan, join forces with the OG crew: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts. Kumail Nanjiani has a role as the owner of the mystical brass orb that imprisons Garraka, an ancient being set on turning the world's population to popsicles. Along with Patton Oswalt as a snarky librarian, their presence is a comedic backup, the one undeniable aspect of this film (and this series at large) that redeems some of its faultier valves.

To be fair and completely transparent, I am not a keeper of the "Ghostbusters" franchise canon, which spans not just four previous feature films, but also two television series and a troupe of video games that have a cult-like following. "Frozen Empire" has a retro vibe, from the original tan one-piece uniform to the vintage Ectomobile to the aforementioned score which may induce chills. The love of the property and earnestness to continue the story with a solid entry for its fans can be felt in every detail on screen.

Unfortunately, it's not enough. To quote the "Ghostbusters" theme song, "I ain't afraid of no ghosts!". "Frozen Empire" follows this directive and provides zero fears. At first, the slower pace is a nice way to reassociate ourselves with the characters, but when the main action and resolution are crammed into the last quarter of the film, it will leave you feeling like maybe you wanted to be a little afraid. Perhaps there is enough here for mega-fans of the franchise. For me, this is once again ghost-busted.

"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" is in theaters now.