Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Ghoulish reboot sequel has lots going on; language, scares.
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Community Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Did Not Appreciate Hidden Messaging.
if your kids saw Ghostbusters (1984) then your good for this one.
when trying to decide if your kid can see this movie. I would first ask has you kids seen any of the other ghostbuster films because this is the exact same level of scary and bad words and sex comments as all the others . actually on the sex catergory it’s actually less than 1984s by a lot. the word shit is used a few times and the big bad in this will frighten some children as expected. it’s way more laughs than scares in this , however there are a few jump scares.
What's the Story?
In GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE, the Spengler family -- mom Callie (Carrie Coon), her partner Greg (Paul Rudd), and her kids Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) -- have taken over the original Ghostbusters' firehouse and specter-capture-and-containment operation in New York City. When veteran Ghostbuster Ray (Dan Aykroyd) comes into possession of an ancient artifact containing a mysterious sinister force, things get real cold real fast, and Ghostbusters new and old will need to work together to once again save the city. (Which is especially fitting since this film's theatrical release coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise.) Meanwhile, Phoebe befriends an angsty teen ghost (Emily Alyn Lind), Trevor is trying to get Callie to treat him like a grown-up, their friends Lucky (Celeste O'Connor) and Podcast (Logan Kim) are putting a new spectral research facility to use, and Greg is working on figuring out his parental boundaries.
Is It Any Good?
Fans will likely cheer -- and maybe gasp -- but the fifth film in this enduring franchise is a little too "deja boo." Fittingly, given that the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is timed with the 40th anniversary of the original movie, it brings back all that's most loved (and not problematic) from the pop cultural phenomenon -- including the framework. Gozer was already reused in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but this movie's icy new demon -- Garraka -- steps in to do exactly the same thing: Open a portal to another dimension and thus destroy New York City, unless the Fire Master can control him.
The beats are similar, but perhaps a familiar ghost story is necessary to balance the movie's many human stories that need acknowledgment. There are the four members of the Spengler family, the four OG Ghostbusters, Afterlife's two additional teen Busters, and three significant new characters played by Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, and Lind. It's fun, but it's also as chaotic as a swarm of unleashed spirits buzzing the Empire State Building. And while the central story focuses on Phoebe, who's feeling frustrated and unattended after the city says she's too young to work as a ghostbuster, we don't get quite enough emotional insight into her character to understand some of her more questionable actions. Given the heart-swelling warmth of Afterlife, it's all the more disappointing that Frozen Empire sometimes feels hollow and cold. For the first film made without the late Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, and Gil Kenan succeed in continuing the franchise as a big screen specter-cle -- and longtime fans will definitely enjoy the steady stream of cameos -- but don't expect this one to haunt you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the Ghostbusters franchise has endured. How do the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire filmmakers reward fans of the original while introducing a new story for a new generation? Kids: How would you reimagine your favorite movie for a different/new audience?
Compare the ghosts and monsters in the 1984 Ghostbusters to those in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Do you think they're scarier now? If so, why?
How do the characters demonstrate courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Are ghostbusting and scientific research a passion or a purpose for Phoebe, Greg, and Ray? What's the difference? What pursuit do you enjoy, even if you don't get paid for doing it?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 22, 2024
- On DVD or streaming: May 7, 2024
- Cast: McKenna Grace , Paul Rudd , Finn Wolfhard , Carrie Coon , Kumail Nanjiani , Dan Aykroyd , Ernie Hudson , Bill Murray
- Director: Gil Kenan
- Inclusion Information: Middle Eastern/North African directors, Female actors, Indian/South Asian actors, Black actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 115 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references
- Last updated: June 13, 2024
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