Review of Ghostbusters 3 in 2024
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire presents a dual reality that encapsulates the essence of the franchise. Initially, it introduces a fresh and authentic Ghostbusters narrative, reminiscent of the original installments, positioning itself as a true Ghostbusters 3, distinct from the 2021 release, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This aspect stands out positively on its own. However, the second aspect serves as a significant caveat: the Ghostbusters formula has been extensively utilized by numerous blockbusters over the past few decades, diminishing Frozen Empire’s ability to leave a lasting impact.
Essentially, while Frozen Empire represents a genuine addition to the Ghostbusters series, the franchise’s true necessity lies in a reinvention. Unlike Afterlife, which embraced an ’80s-style child-centric adventure, Ghostbusters needs to chart a new course forward. Instead, Frozen Empire resembles a Ghostbusters-themed Marvel production, packed with multiple movie-worthy storylines but only sporadic comedic moments. It falls short of the mark in delivering a truly engaging experience.
Exploring the Plot of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
The movie kicks off with the Spengler family (Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard) and Gary (Paul Rudd) embodying the roles of fully-fledged Ghostbusters, clad in their iconic uniforms, cruising in the Ecto-1, pursuing an otherworldly sewer dragon through the bustling streets of New York City. Their pursuit results in capturing the dragon but also leads to considerable collateral damage. Subsequently, the mayor (Walter Peck, the EPA official from the original film, for some inexplicable reason) moves to shut down the team and condemn the old fire station where they now reside. Interestingly, the Spenglers and Gary have taken up residence in the former Ghostbusters firehouse.
Ghostbusters 3 Review 2024
Regrettably, a fresh danger emerges with the appearance of an ancient orb that falls into the possession of Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd). This aged relic serves as a prison for a malevolent spirit, unbeknownst to our main characters. Surprisingly, the individual who passed the orb to Ray, Nadeem (Kumail Nanjiani), may have ties to the original Ghostbusters who crafted the orb.
While this storyline alone could suffice for a standalone film, Frozen Empire introduces multiple significant subplots. These include the Ghostbusters HQ containment unit nearing capacity, Phoebe’s fascination with a teenage ghost, and the original Ghostbusters grappling with their advancing age.
Although these subplot concepts hold potential, they coexist in Frozen Empire without intertwining to form a cohesive narrative. Phoebe’s interest in the ghost girl is intriguing but gets cut short by the main plot. Similarly, the containment unit reaching its limit is an interesting concept but remains detached from the primary storyline. Apart from Ray’s continuous relevance, Winston (Ernie Hudson), Venkman (Bill Murray), and Janine (Annie Potts) serve more as nostalgic nods to the previous Ghostbusters movies.
Despite its flaws, Frozen Empire manages to engage viewers for a period. The core group comprising Phoebe, Gary, Callie, and Trevor adds an enjoyable dynamic to the film. However, instead of focusing on this group’s efforts against the new threat, the movie burdens itself with excessive franchise references. While some of these nods are entertaining (Aykroyd, Hudson, and Murray’s charisma shines through), they collectively create a distracting cacophony that detracts from the main storyline.
As the film culminates in a CGI-heavy climax reminiscent of the MCU, set in a frozen New York City, the overwhelming amount of additional elements left me desensitized. While not unpleasant and competently crafted by director Gil Kenan, Frozen Empire fails to break free from the shadow of the Ghostbusters legacy, ultimately limiting its potential for originality.
Thus, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, encapsulates a missed opportunity. While it avoids the overt irritations of its predecessor, Afterlife, the weight of the Ghostbusters franchise hinders its ability to fully realize its unique identity.
