In between,we had 2016s Answer the Call,a controversial, largely unrelated entry.
Nostalgia for the original films is sprinkled throughout while a formidable new villain rises from centuries before.
A family must bond while dealing with the modern problems of life as a Ghostbuster.
The Spenglers in trouble.Image: Sony
And concepts about what Ghostbusters are, and can become, are explored in the film as well.
This happens almost instantly, throwing us right back into that family-forward fun that worked so well in Afterlife.
However, those guys know better than most that busting ghosts is not an exact science.
Slime from the ceiling is a bad sign.Image: Sony
With free time on her hands, Phoebe befriends a teen ghost named Melody (Emily Alyn Lind).
Theres an unspoken romance, for example, that feels almost purposefully implicit rather than explicit.
Make no mistake though, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire isnt some serious rumination on death.
James Acaster plays an important new role as Winston’s employee, Lars.Image: Sony
Its very much about busting ghosts, which it tackles from several different directions.
Theres action, theres mystery, and theres investigation.
The film posits that 1984s Ghostbusting tech would be outdated by now, right?
About that whole Frozen Empire thing.Image: Sony
What new ways, if at all, can someone capture or hold a ghost?
Does there only have to be one set of Ghostbusters?
Gary struggles with his undefined role among the Spenglers.
Callie is at odds with Phoebe while also scrambling to keep everyone together.
Trevor feels like hes not being respected since hes now an adult.
One exception to this is Dan Aykroyds Ray.
We learn about Rays insecurities, his dreams, and his ambitions.
And, as youd imagine, Aykroyd is more than up to the task.
Hes been waiting for this his whole life, and that goes for both the actor and his character.
However, thats not the case.
Another huge problem with Frozen Empire is that the third act feels incredibly rushed and confusing.
Just in case the Ghostbusters come back again.
So no, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire isnt a total triumph.
Its got big problems throughout and wont sit in your memory alongside the original film or its sequel.
A slight downgrade as the franchise continued to expand.
Here though, Frozen Empire achieves much of its success from all the groundwork laid in Afterlife.
Plus, it just feels like a proper Ghostbusters movie.
And busting makes us feel good, even when its messy.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is in theaters Friday.
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