Movie Breakdown: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Pre-Screening Stance:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire looks like it’s sticking to the somewhat new, somewhat nostalgic path that was paved in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and I’m OK with that. Though, I will say, it’s a bit of a bummer that Jason Reitman didn’t return to direct it. He instead passed that responsibility to the guy he co-wrote both films with – Gil Kenan, who hasn’t done much of note since 2006’s Monster House.
Post-Screening Ramble:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is overstuffed and under-cooked, but it’s not entirely unwatchable. Let’s start with the film’s fairly convoluted plot – Gary (Paul Rudd), Callie (Carrie Coon), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) have moved into (and are working out of) the old Ghostbusters HQ in NYC. While they seem to be helping the city, they’re also causing a lot of collateral damage, which draws the ire of Walter Peck (William Atherton), who – as you may recall – had an issue with the original team in 1984. Anyhow, this leads to Phoebe getting “benched” and the whole crew/family being put on notice. Meanwhile, Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Podcast (Logan Kim) meet a goofball named Nadeem (Kumail Nanjiani) and he sells them a mysterious orb that appears to have something powerful trapped inside of it. Winston (Ernie Hudson), Venkman (Bill Murray), and Lucky (Celeste O’Connor) are around as well because I guess they had to be included. Did I mention there’s a lot going on here? There are some fun moments in Frozen Empire, but it’s what’s in between them that isn’t great. There are just too many characters and plot points that don’t lead to anything and it regularly causes the film to drag. The performances are fine – everyone is committed to the bit – and the movie looks like it had plenty of cash poured into it, but it’s as though co-writers Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan couldn’t decide between fully building out the new characters or shining the spotlight on the old ones, so they just clumsily did it all. While they may have solidly straddled that line in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, it’s clearly time to pick a path forward.
There’s not a ton to love in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, but if bustin’ makes you feel good no matter what, you’ll likely find it to at least be a passable affair. It opens in theaters this Friday, March 22.
One Last Thought:
Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon’s characters are supposed to be a couple in this movie but I’m 99% sure the only form of affection they show each other is through pats on the back. It’s weird.
