Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
★★★
If you know me, you know how much the original Ghostbusters films mean to me. They weren’t just movies; they were a defining part of my childhood. So, yes, my nostalgia probably gives both Ghostbusters: Afterlife and this latest installment, Frozen Empire, a bit of a boost in my book. But you know what? I had a good time with this one, and isn’t that what movies are supposed to be about?
I went into Frozen Empire cautiously optimistic, especially after hearing some mixed buzz, but it turned out way better than I expected. Returning to New York City, the film leans into the franchise’s roots with callbacks to the original cast, musical cues from the iconic score and plenty of the classic charm that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it entertaining? Absolutely.
The cast is stacked, maybe to a fault. Between the returning legends and the new generation of Ghostbusters, there are a lot of characters to keep up with. But everyone brings their A-game, and even when some performances lean into familiar acting quirks, they work in the playful, over-the-top spirit of the series. Paul Rudd is a delight, as always, and the younger actors hold their own alongside the old guard.
That said, Frozen Empire doesn’t offer many surprises or big scares. It’s less about reinventing the franchise and more about letting you revisit a world you love. It’s fun, it’s funny and it’s comforting in a way that feels like slipping on a favorite sweater. Sure, the original Ghostbusters had more depth and originality, but these newer films are about having a good time, and I can’t fault them for that.
If this ends up being the final chapter of the Ghostbusters saga, it’s a decent note to go out on. Could it have been more daring or innovative? Sure. But it also could have been a lot worse. Frozen Empire isn’t here to shake up the franchise—it’s here to give fans a satisfying, nostalgic ride. And for me, that’s enough.
