It’s hard to believe that the first ‘Ghostbusters’ film was released forty years ago, way back in 1984. Since it was a major box office smash, the studio wanted a sequel, and five years later we were served the less-than-stellar ‘Ghostbusters II.’
Fast forward to 2016 and the simple truth is that Hollywood loves to resurrect old ideas. The studio produced a reboot featuring female ‘Ghostbusters’ of Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Leslie Jones. Despite all that talent, the film wasn’t a critical or audience favorite and landed with a thud.
The franchise appeared dead and buried until 2021 when original director Ivan Reitman teamed up with son, Jason (who directed and co-wrote the script with Gil Kenan) to make ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’ The film introduced new characters — mainly the kids of ghostbuster Egon Spengler (played in the first two films by the late Harold Ramis), as well as their mom (Carrie Coon) and a science teacher played by the always likable Paul Rudd. But in a masterstroke that the fans loved, they also brought back original stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and, through the magic of visual effects, even Ramis appeared in what proved to be a very satisfying and often touching movie.
For ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,’ Reitman and Kenan once again co-wrote the script but Kenan took over the directing chores. The plot has to do with the Spengler family operating the original ghostbusting business in New York City and dealing with personal and professional issues, including a powerful, long-imprisoned evil spirit that escapes.
The story features a lot of characters, both returning and new. McKenna Grace (‘Gifted’) and Finn Wolfhard (‘Stranger Things’) are back as the two Spangler kids, Phoebe and Trevor. McKenna does a lot of the heavy lifting as the daughter who rebels after being disciplined and winds up befriending a fellow teen — a ghost named Melody — wonderfully played by Geena Davis look-a-like Emily Alyn Lind from ‘The Babysitter’ films on Netflix. There’s an excellent dynamic between the two young ladies that becomes more complex as the movie progresses.
