GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE

We all thought the Ghostbusters were done and dusted after having their time in the 80s, but that all changed when Afterlife released in 2021. It was a film that made them relevant again and, even though I felt it to be the perfect closing chapter, there was undeniably room for them continue the franchise further. The latest instalment, Frozen Empire, does exactly that but does it risk leaving the Ghostbusters out in the cold once more?

The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse where the original Ghostbusters have taken ghost-busting to the next level. When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must unite to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age.

Frozen Empire struggles to remain focused throughout, far too many characters and plot strands contending with one another for supremacy, in what becomes a bit of a muddled outing for the Ghostbusters this time around. There's a solid three or four characters you could cut out of the film entirely and it would be allowed to breathe more. By the end it almost feels rushed into an underwhelming finale due to too many things to try and wrap up.

Gil Kenan's writing, along with Jason Reitman, doesn't deliver on the emotional level of Afterlife, but it does let loose with some fun sequences that feel right at home in the franchise. While it's undeniably fun to watch these characters, old and new, interact with one another, it never feels as if the film wants to venture too far into new territory, a trap attached to a drone offering an interesting new manner to catch ghosts however, it's never explored in the way it should be. If you're going to try and keep this franchise invigorated, you've got to try and mix it up a fair bit before it gets stale.

Many people will be flocking to see Frozen Empire because of the original cast having a more prominent role than before in Afterlife. In that regard, the film manages to give Dan Aykroyd a bit more of the spotlight - a wise choice as he still manages to get the laughs going. Ernie Hudson is always a delight to see in these films but I can't help but feel Bill Murray is just turning up for the easy money.

Paul Rudd continues to be Paul Rudd, which is absolutely a compliment, his struggles to fit in the lives of the Spengler children as a father figure providing some humorous encounters. Mckenna Grace manages to bring some stakes to proceedings with her performance, even if her character does something so dumb for how smart she is. She definitely gets more to do than Finn Wolfhard, that's for sure.

While I had fun with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and could happily sit down and watch it again, it very much feels as if the franchise could be running out of steam. If they are to carry on with more of these, it might be time to try and let go of the past as much as possible to keep these feeling as fresh as possible.

Verdict: ★★★