Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

This fun sequel is now playing in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 55 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

The last Ghostbusters movie shot some much-needed adrenaline into the franchise, sparking a lot of interest in this newest addition to the story.

This installment features the old and new Ghostbusters working together to save the world from a second ice age. The Spengler family returns to the famous New York City firehouse where it all began. In fact, the working title for the movie was “Firehouse.” About ten years ago, I went on a walking tour of Lower Manhattan and they took us right by the firehouse which has the “Hook & Ladder 8” sign in the Tribeca neighborhood.

The film was directed by Gil Kenan who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jason Reitman. It was dedicated to the late Ivan Reitman who was the director of the first two movies. There’s a scene when one of the characters picks out a movie for everyone to watch, holding up a VHS copy of “Cannibal Girls”, a 1973 movie also directed by Ivan Reitman. Nice touch.

THINGS I LIKED:

Fans of the franchise will love all of the carefully designed and hidden Easter eggs. I noticed a lot of them but I’m sure I didn’t find them all.
The cast includes Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, and or returning favorite Ghostbusters from the original: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts. Dan Aykroyd also serves as one of the Executive Producers.
At about ten minutes into the movie, we get a quick recap of the franchise to bring us up to speed.
Cool special effects.
Keep watching during the final rolling credits for another fun scene.
Lots of interesting ideas to consider.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There are too many side stories and characters that we just don’t get enough time and development with all of them.
Sadly, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis don’t appear in this Ghostbusters movie.
Quite a few viewers mentioned they thought Bill Murray was phoning it in this time around. I didn’t think so; his character is just super laid back, getting old and tired…probably like the actor himself.
I haven’t decided yet if the hilarious mini-marshmallow men are adorable or if they’re now becoming annoying and overdone like the Minions in the Despicable Me franchise. What do YOU think?
It always drives me nuts when the experts in the movie are a bunch of teenagers.
At about the hour mark, there are several scenes with SO much exposition.
I’m sad to say I was a little bit bored.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some scary images might frighten young children
Young lesbian vibes in some scenes
Violence
Various weapons are used
Human ghost and other types of ghosts
A few crude comments.

THEMES:

Family
Legacy
Truth
Supporting one another
Supernatural powers

FUNNY LINES:

“It was the 80s. No one was too worried about the future.” – Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts)
“I know that guy!” – Trevor (Finn Wolfhard)
“I am a god!” – Nadeem Razmaadi (Kumail Nanjiani)
“Well, being nice didn’t work.” – Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd)
“Now, this is very, very interesting.” – Ray Stantz “Have it for forty.” – Nadeem Razmaadi “I’ve never seen anything like this. At all.” – Ray Stantz “Sixty.” – Nadeem Razmaadi