Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the best Ghostbusters *thing* released since 2009.
In yet another one of my wacky minority opinions, apparently, I think Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is fucking GREAT.
Background: Ye olde Ghostbusters movies were something I grew up on and always loved. I even used to watch "The Real Ghostbusters" reruns. And like many fans, I adore the 2009 video game (now available in a Remaster!).
Then we got the 2016 reboot, and you know something? In spite of all the hate it gets, I enjoyed it! I thought it was funny more often than it wasn't... the theatrical version, that is. The "Extended Cut" they put on Blu-Ray later is like, loaded with alternate takes and extended scenes that are painfully awkward and unfunny IMO. But the theatrical cut is a pretty fun time, albeit a bit lacking in new ideas.
I was basically the prime audience for 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and... I really, really didn't like it. Because: 1) It's not very funny at all? The "Podcast" character was funny and Paul Rudd gets a couple moments, but it's too busy being sentimental about callbacks to the old movies and memorializing Harold Ramis to focus on comedy. 2) The other half of the movie is a blatant nostalgic retread of the original Ghostbusters, except now in a small town instead of New York. Imagine if half of The Force Awakens was focused on blowing up another Death Star, and you'll get it. 3) Why are ALL the new Ghostbusters children? I get that the series gained a lot of kid fans along the way, but the original was never aimed at kids. Doesn't this feel like a backslide, to make the entire new team be under 18? 4) You're telling me that Egon never told Ray that Gozer was returning? Or that Ray wouldn't believe him? *EXTREMELY* OUT OF CHARACTER FOR BOTH, FUCK THAT. And that NO GHOSTS have showed up for DECADES for no fucking reason? THANKS FOR RUINING ALL OUR IMAGININGS OF INTERIM ADVENTURES. I will say, at least, that the performances were all good, and there are some heartwarming moments in here; Egon's apperance near the end and the credits scene with Dana stand out.
....but here comess Frozen Empire to save the day.
We get a returning cast of both ADULT and KID Ghostbusters... yes, even new adult Ghostbusters! MULTIPLE! Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon get upgraded into the family business, and there's even a plot point centered on whether CHILDREN should be allowed into such dangerous work.
There are ghosts randomly running around even when there's no greater threat pushing them forth; no reason is given for the change in lore, but I don't care because THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD'VE BEEN.
A lot of ideas that me and other fans have often discussed/pondered over the years ("Are there any friendly ghosts who fear the Ghostbusters? What do the ghostbusters themselves think will happen when THEY die? Will THEY become ghosts, and if so, won't other ghosts hate them? Or will they immediately become as hostile as every other ghost we meet? Or what?") are made not only points of discussion but even MAJOR PLOT EVENTS!
We get a new, NON-REPEAT threat — and frankly, it's a spooky-awesome one?!?!
Extensive comedy BACK and ACTUALLY FUCKING FUNNY! (IMO, anyway. Humor is subjective, I know. But they do it while still including good dramatic character development with genuinely touching scenes plus legitimately strong spooks.)
The returning classic GBs are not only in-character, but Janine gets to put on a uniform and fight alongside the boys, just like in the old cartoons!
Phoebe's character is expanded upon in ways that make her still endearing but much more unique than just "mini-Egon genius" like last time.
GHOSTBUSTERS II GETS ACKNOWLEDGED AS HAVING HAPPENED, THANK YOU. I wish the video game was somehow canon, too, but I guess I can't have everything? I preferred Winston getting his doctorate over him becoming a finance tycoon, but whatevs.
My only real complaint is like: Seriously, y'all never went back to the New York Library to get that library ghost between the open scenes of the 1984 movie and now? :P And... well, I do wish Walter Peck had grown and changed as a character since we last saw him, but I've got no other issues. EVERYTHING ELSE IS SO WONDERFUL.
This movie is everything I wish Afterlife had been, and THEN some. And yet... people don't seem to care? The reviews are very "meh"? Despite all these new ideas and great stuff?? Did y'all just want the Ghostbusters to stick to the Midwest from now on or what? Is it too soon for people to want more Ghostbusters? I DON'T GET IT.
Except... well, maybe people just don't care because this is an OLD franchise that failed to get a new movie for like, over 25 years, and people just lost interest in that time? Most adults today probably weren't raised on '80s movies like I was. :P Maybe that's all there is to it.
If this series is gonna die out, though? What a note to end us on.
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My Personal Video Game Collection
Nintendo Switch
Another Code: Recollection
Ark: Survival Evolved
ARMS
Danganronpa Decadence
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DreamWorks Dragons: Dawn of New Riders
Ghostbusters The Video Game Remastered
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
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Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA
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Endless Ocean: Blue World
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LEGO Batman: The Video Game
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LEGO Star Wars 2 The Original Trilogy
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Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
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Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
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Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures
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Tales of Vesperia
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Die Hard Trilogy
Tekken 2
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Max Payne
MX 2002 Featuring Ricky Carmichael
NASCAR Heat 2002
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