In its best moments, it’s even reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films

Like few other films, Ghostbusters represents Hollywood cinema of the 1980s. Til today fans adore the first adventures the iconic ghost hunter troupe: Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray. Ghostbusters still didn’t make it into the big film series. The legacy of the sci-fi fantasy cult is more chaotic than many a ghost attack in New York.

The never released Ghostbusters 3 with the original stars is a prime example of how even the sequel is a box office hit drown in production hell can. Sony attempted a reboot with a female cast in 2016, but it flopped. Five years later, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released as a legacy sequel and gave the series its first big screen success in over three decades.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire now follows on from this success.

There are 3 reasons why Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is well worth a look

Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Creed have shown the way: years after their last film, the franchises returned to the cinema with a new adventure in which the old heroes meet a young generation. Ghosbutsters: Afterlife, which has been appropriately given the additional title Legacy in this country, hits exactly this note and juxtaposes the original ghost hunters with a Stranger Things family.

Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon), the daughter of the late Ghostbuster Egon Spengler, discovers her father’s legacy in Oklahoma with her children, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard). Two years later, the Spenglers race through the Ecto-1 Streets of New York, closely pursued by a ghost dragon. And that’s the first point why the sequel is worth it.

Reason 1: The Ghostbusters are back in New York and are having a wild summer adventure

At first glance, Ghostbusters in a creaky country house seemed like a brilliant idea to breathe new life into the series. In the end we spend two hours with the characters Dusting off the past watched. Frozen Empire doesn’t have to dance around a supposed secret that everyone knows anyway. The film jumps straight into the ghost action.

Contrary to the coldness of the title, director Gil Kenan (Monster House) positions Frozen Empire as a colorful blockbuster that gives us the Summer in the city lets experience. At times, this New York is even reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, in which there is always an interrelationship between heroic characters and the city. Especially when the Ghostbusters destroy city property during their ghost hunts.

The Spenglers are particularly a thorn in the side of the mayor. He would prefer the fire station, which has served as the Ghostbusters’ headquarters for decades, raze to the ground. But what about the spirits that are kept there? Somewhere here lies an exciting film that reflects on the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in which problems are preferred to be suppressed rather than solved.

Reason 2: Paul Rudd shows a surprising amount of vulnerability in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

The casting of Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson is perhaps the greatest stroke of genius of the new Ghostbusters films. In Legacy, he introduces himself as Phoebe’s teacher before becoming Callie’s love interest. Now he is part of the Spengler family. That is, almost. Or maybe not. Possibly? In Frozen Empire, Gary struggles to find his place in the Spenglers’ circle and Rudd puts his heart into the role.

The Ant-Man star has proven often enough throughout his career that Rudd can play charming, funny guys. However, he is at his strongest when he puts this entertaining surface around his characters sensitive, vulnerable facets expanded. In Frozen Empire he does this extremely well in several moments. Great: When Gary tries to get his relationship with Phoebe back on track.

Watch the trailer for the film:

Rudd is no longer reduced to the Awkward teacher gag, but brings an unexpected amount of sensitivity to the role – at least as much as is possible given the ghost hoopla.

The scene in which Gary stands in front of Phoebe’s bedroom door and expresses his thoughts is strong torn surrogate father shares without knowing that behind the closed door no one will receive his sincere words.

Reason 3: As a young ghost hunter, McKenna Grace outshines all of the original stars of the series

Her name has already been mentioned several times: without Spengler’s daughter Phoebe, the new Ghostbusters film would only be half as good. McKenna Grace already impressed in the previous film and even played the much better known Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, It). Frozen Empire gives her even more room to develop, even a (more or less obvious) queer love story with a spirit is there.

But first things first: While Gary tries to find his way into the Spengler family, Phoebe is increasingly abandoned by them. A 15-year-old on a ghost hunt? Is that even allowed? Public pressure is growing. The rest of the ghost hunters are overwhelmed by the everyday hustle and bustle. Before the most skilled ghost hunter knows it, the Ecto-1 leaves her alone in the garage of the fire station.

A heartbreaking image that emerges in passing, but it is precisely this casualness that makes the moment so painful. This loneliness creates a friendship with the ghost girl (Emily Alyn Lind), with whom Phoebe plays chess at night in Washington Square Park. Frozen Empire could have invested more time in the relationship that develops between the two before the ghost hunt continues.

Ultimately, the film feels too committed to its legacy tasks. In particular, the appearances of the original stars are far less charming than they may have sounded in the pitch meeting. Despite his big speeches, the villain also fails to leave much of an impression. The enthusiastically planned marshmallow man are still a win for the series that should not be underestimated.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has been running since then March 21, 2023 in the cinema.