Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Celeste O’Connor, Finn Wolfhard, James Acaster, Logan Kim, and Dan Aykroyd as Lucky Domingo, Trevor Spengler, Dr. Lars Pinfield, Podcast, and Dr. Ray Stantz in ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’. (Photo Courtesy of Columbia/Sony Pictures.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’.
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Ask any fan of the Ghostbusters franchise what they want the most from the film segment of the saga, and you’ll get back a similar answer. In that, they want nothing more, than an epic story. One that features a ton of ghosts for the Ghostbusters to defeat before they deal with a nightmare for the ages. A deity so powerful that there is a real chance they might taste failure and it makes sense as to why this is the constant ask from the fans. Because in the film segment of this universe, budgetary restraints and a lack of special effects wizardry only allowed for the ‘Busters to take on a handful of ghosts and a strong but defeat-able deity. 

Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, since it’s led to some solid stories that let the characters and the humor the franchise is known for, shine, and it’s allowed for innovation to come into play. But that want still exists, one that was likely influenced by The Real Ghostbusters, the wildly popular 80s Saturday Morning Cartoon companion to the franchise. For in that show, what the fans wanted took place, since animation afforded imaginative moments untold, and well… for a very long time, that was enough to satisfy the fans. But thankfully, those decades of want for a more epic story set in this magnificent universe… has finally come to an end courtesy of the latest entry in this storied saga, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

A feat that this film accomplishes… by offering up one ambitious plot for the series. Wherein we catch up with the Spengler family after the events of Afterlife and come to learn… the Ghostbusters are alive and well again in the city of New York. For paranormal activity is once again on the rise, and the family is busy busting ghosts and causing enough damage to give the mayor a major heart attack, making it seem as though the good ol’ days of bustin’ are back. But one ugly job and the return of a powerful deity from years lost to history, threatens not only the existence of the Ghostbusters, but all of humanity. For this creature wants our world and it will take the might of every Ghostbuster from the old guard and the new, to bring down the frozen empire it desires.

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Which really is… about as epic a plot as it gets, since Garraka, the deity in question… really is the strongest being the Ghostbusters have ever faced, courtesy of great power that extends beyond his ability to control ice, and that makes him quite the terrifying villain, one that seemingly could win the day, adding real stakes to the story and his presence here leads to some unsettling sequences as well. But the epic nature of this story doesn’t end with him. After all, this one delivers more ghosts than we’ve ever seen, and it brings forth other concepts that have floated about the franchise, such as expanding the business into research and development, and inventing other toys for the team to use that are slick and fun. Giving rise to a sense that at long last, this is now a sustainable business, one that will take future films into new territory from a technology standpoint.
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But while it is nice to finally have an epic Ghostbusters story in front of us, one that truly delivers on every wish and hope of the fans, this is a motion picture that never strays from the franchise’s roots. For the characters are still the king here, and go through moments that are relatable, and it also features a wonderful journey involving Phoebe. One that newcomers to the saga, and longtime fans can relate to. Since it involves the fight to fit in, and the painful desire we all experience in our teenage years as we inch toward adulthood and freedom, and the struggles we all face at that age with making the wrong friends. Which evokes either a sense of immediate relatability or memories of days gone by, and those moments are of course, wonderfully balanced out by the franchise’s trademark humor.

For the jokes are still the core of the saga here, and they arrive a plenty and put smiles on our faces, and really… all of these elements combine to bring forth, the best Ghostbusters film to date. Simply because this one really is it, it is the epic, high stakes masterpiece we’ve been waiting for, and it’s wondrous. Since it is filled to the brim with everything we love about the franchise, and the casting is simply top notch and you can never go wrong with the triumphant return of everyone’s favorite little glutton, Slimer, since he pops up here too. But above all, the ambitious nature of this film, and its desire to really propel the franchise into new territory on the silver screen, leaves the viewer with a unique sense of joy. As though the true golden age of the franchise is upon us at last… and more amazing stories akin to this… await us down the line.

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