So Much Fun! New And Old Ghostbusters Team Up To Battle An Ancient Demon Wanting To Freeze Manhattan
Published: March 28, 2024
By: Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with 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 army of ghosts that casts a death chill upon the city, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire works as an extension of the adventures of the Ghostbusters. It has a developing plot that surprised me since it’s pretty creative. However, it’s not something to call “out of this world.” See her full review below.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Sydney S.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire works as an extension of the adventures of the Ghostbusters. It has a developing plot that surprised me since it’s pretty creative. However, it’s not something to call “out of this world.”
This film follows the Spenglers who reunite with beloved former Ghostbusters to fight an ancient icy evil that threatens all of humanity. Will their skills match up to this cold villain, or will they all freeze to death?
The main characters are Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), Mr. Grooerson (Paul Rudd), Callie (Carrie Coon), Ray (Dan Aykroyd), Winston (Ernie Hudson, Lucky (Celeste O’Connor), Podcast (Logan Kim), Janine (Annie Potts), and Venkman (Bill Murray). It’s interesting to see the new and old Ghostbusters collaborate to fight Garraka, the ancient ice god. This film offers a reunion the fans have wanted, and the filmmakers responded to that. I recommend watching the previous Ghostbusters movies. However, remember that the original Ghostbusters do not have much involvement in this film — they are merely there to watch, which is extremely disappointing. During the ending fight scene, they just stand there.
On the other hand, the plot is engaging and I never found myself bored during the film. It starts off with the Spengler family on a mission to capture a ghost. Therefore, it has a quick start as it kicks into the storyline. I do not care for the direction of this movie. It feels off. For example, when the ghost betrays Phoebe it happens all of a sudden, without much context, especially since the two of them don’t have that much of a bond. Also, the characters don’t really stand out from each other, besides barely knowing their backstories. I also did not like the special effects. They could be paying homage to the original movies, but the special effects of the ghosts are not realistic in any way. On a higher note, my favorite parts of the film are the mini Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men. They are adorable and hilarious. If you remember, in the original film the marshmallow man is huge. Also, the character Nadeem is extremely amusing. He is supposed to be the Fireman who saves them all from Garraka, which is a great addition to the storyline. That’s something new I like about the movie because they don’t stick with just ghosts, which gets boring after a few movies. In the end, the film makes a good addition to the adventures of the Ghostbusters, but it isn’t something to rave about or call extraordinary.
The film’s message is that family matters most. Phoebe is banned from Ghostbusting and she gets into more trouble later on. However, in the end, she and her parents forgive each other because they realize the importance of family. You should be aware there are mature conversations and violence in the film, with a hint of profanity.
I give Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire releases in theaters on March 22, 2024.
Official Trailer:
