Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) spoiler free review

“Who you gonna call when the world freezes over?” Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a 2024 American supernatural action film directed by Gil Kenan from a screenplay from him and Jason Reitman. It’s the sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and the fifth film in the Ghostbusters franchise. The film was released in the United States on March 22, 2024 by Sony Pictures Releasing under its Columbia Pictures label.

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family decide to leave Summerville, Oklahoma and go back to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – and help the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice-Age.

Film synopsis

The cast includes 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, Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hubert Wartzki, Celeste O’Connor as Lucky Domingo, Logan Kim as Podcast, Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond “Ray” Stantz, Ernie Hudson as Dr. Winston Zeddemore, Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz, William Atherton as Mayor Walter Peck, James Acaster as Lars Pinfield, and Emily Alyn Lind as Melody.

My opinion

After the success of Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) it wasn’t a surprise that another sequel would be made. This time we go back to New York, where everything began 40 years ago. The old and new Ghostbusters must team up once again to save the world from a second ice age. Following the same formula as the previous films, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire lacks originality and focus but is saved by a charismatic cast.

The biggest problem recalls that while it doesn’t introduce many new characters it still has too many characters trying to have their moment all at once. This makes the plot and subplots lack direction and development, there’s not enough time to cover it all. But even with those flaws, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings a fun and enjoyable experience for the whole family.