If you’re a fan of the original Ghostbusters movies from the 80s, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will feel like a trip down memory lane. For the new generation, it’s an exciting introduction to the world of ghostbusting that manages to capture the essence of what made the originals so beloved. As someone who grew up with the classic films, I found “Frozen Empire” to be a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh excitement, making it a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers.
A Chilling Plot
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” takes the franchise in a new, frosty direction. The movie opens with an eerie, supernatural event that blankets New York City in an unending winter. The plot thickens as our beloved Ghostbusters, now a mix of the original team and some new faces, come together to uncover the mystery behind the sudden freeze. The storyline is engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Villain: Garaka’s Icy Reign
The villain in “Frozen Empire,” Garaka, is one of the movie’s standout elements. Visually, Garaka is an imposing figure, with a design that combines both the grotesque and the supernatural. His icy appearance and menacing aura make for a formidable antagonist. But it’s his backstory that truly sets him apart.
Garaka hails from an ancient era, long before recorded history, where he was a powerful sorcerer who sought to control the elements. His quest for power led him to discover a forbidden ritual that granted him dominion over ice and cold, transforming him into a being of immense power. However, this power came at a cost, trapping him in a cycle of vengeance and hatred. Garaka’s origin story is meticulously crafted, revealing his rise to power and his descent into madness. This depth adds a layer of intrigue and intensity to the film, making Garaka not just a mere obstacle but a pivotal character in the Ghostbusters journey.
Characters Old and New
One of the highlights of “Frozen Empire” is its cast. Seeing the original Ghostbusters back in action is a treat for fans. Their chemistry is just as delightful as it was decades ago, and their witty banter brings back fond memories. The movie lovingly reunites us with the legendary team: Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). Their return is not just a nostalgic nod but a crucial part of the story, as they bring their years of experience and unique personalities to the forefront.
The new additions to the team fit in seamlessly, each bringing their unique flair and energy. Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) continues to shine as the brilliant and brave young ghostbuster, showing incredible prowess with the proton pack. Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) adds a youthful energy and a knack for mechanical tinkering, making him a valuable asset. Podcast (Logan Kim) provides comic relief with his quirky interests and enthusiastic documentation of their adventures. And Lucky (Celeste O’Connor) rounds out the team with her courage and quick thinking.
The interplay between the old and new cast members is particularly enjoyable. The seasoned ghostbusters bring a sense of history and experience, while the newcomers add fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. This dynamic is highlighted in several key scenes, where the older characters share their wisdom and the younger ones bring innovative ideas to the table. The witty banter between the characters is a perfect mix of humor and heart, making their interactions a joy to watch.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Fun
For those who grew up in the 80s, “Frozen Empire” is packed with nostalgic references. From the iconic Ecto-1 to the familiar proton packs, every detail is designed to evoke memories of the original films. The movie also includes several nods to classic scenes and quotes, making it a treasure trove for die-hard fans. At the same time, it introduces new elements and updated special effects that will captivate younger audiences. The balance between honoring the past and embracing the present is masterfully done.
One of the most delightful throwbacks is the conversation between Ray and Winston about their golden years. Their reflections on their past adventures and the acknowledgment of their age add a touch of humor and warmth to the movie. These moments are not only nostalgic but also grounding, reminding viewers of the characters’ long-standing friendship and their journey over the years.
Slimer and the Mini-Pufts
No Ghostbusters movie would be complete without some familiar supernatural faces. Slimer makes his much-anticipated return in “Frozen Empire,” bringing with him a wave of nostalgia and plenty of laughs. His scenes are as chaotic and fun as ever, with his mischievous antics adding a delightful touch of humor to the film. The interactions between Slimer and the Ghostbusters, especially the newer team members, provide some of the most entertaining moments, blending the old-school charm with new dynamics.
The movie also introduces a new set of tiny troublemakers—the Mini-Pufts. These adorable yet mischievous little versions of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man cause all sorts of mayhem throughout the film. Their scenes are packed with humor and creativity, offering a fun and light-hearted break from the more intense moments. The Mini-Pufts quickly become fan favorites, their antics reminiscent of the original Stay Puft’s iconic rampage but on a much smaller, yet equally entertaining, scale.
Visual Spectacle
The special effects in “Frozen Empire” are nothing short of spectacular. The icy landscape of New York City is visually stunning, creating a sense of both wonder and dread. The ghosts are creatively designed, each one more terrifying and impressive than the last. The action sequences are thrilling, with the Ghostbusters battles against the supernatural forces being some of the most exciting scenes in the movie. The blend of practical effects and CGI is seamless, making for a visually immersive experience.
Heart and Humor
At its core, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a movie with heart. It explores themes of friendship, legacy, and the importance of working together. The humor is spot-on, providing plenty of laughs without overshadowing the more serious moments. The film manages to strike the perfect balance between comedy and drama, making it a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
The serious moments are handled with care, adding depth to the characters and the story. Whether it’s dealing with the weight of their legacy or facing the fears that come with battling the unknown, these scenes provide a strong emotional core. Coupled with the sharp, witty dialogue that fans have come to love, the movie creates a dynamic narrative that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a fantastic addition to the franchise. It’s a movie that respects its roots while paving the way for future installments. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the world of ghostbusting, this film is sure to entertain. It’s a nostalgic thrill ride for those who grew up with the originals and a fun, exciting adventure for the new generation. Don’t miss out on this frosty ghostbusting adventure—it’s a blast from the past that’s sure to warm your heart.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the movie in the comments below. Did it live up to your expectations? What were your favorite moments? Let’s keep the ghostbusting spirit alive!
Netflix has recently released one of the most terrifying horror originals to date with an eight-episode French horror series called Marianne.
Emma’s books about a demon’s wife are based on her real life nightmares from her teenage years. Emma now grown up and long moved out of her childhood home goes back to the broken-down coastal town of Elden to check up on her parents. This checkup quickly turns gruesome for Emma as her past quickly catches up to her and the nightmares she had are now haunting her once again.
This series also had excellent camera footage and great use of drones that were used to grab some amazing shots of the rocky coast line, and dead winter trees that really added a level of suspense to the show.
Netflix wasn’t shy about showing new things coming to the show as they also previewed a clip of the Robinsons turning the Jupiter into a “Space Sailboat” to cross a sea on one of the planets they’ve landed on. It looks like Season 2 will see the Robinsons exploring multiple planets in the five-planet system they discovered at the end of Season 1, and also find out more details about the origins of the mysterious Robot and where it truly came from.  I’m sure throughout the 10 episodes of Season 2 we will see more surprises and mysteries that the Robinsons will have to uncover and of course get themselves out of those tricky situations they are oh so good at.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters quickly sets the tone that it won’t be the same thing we’ve seen in the past. 2014’s Godzilla rebooted the classic king of monsters for modern audiences, but the latest portrayal of the iconic monster gives us huge monsters everywhere within the first few minutes of the film. If you came to see monsters, then you came to the right spot as this film is loaded with a more classic outlook on Godzilla and other monsters from the past.
Monsters everywhere in this film! Besides Godzilla, we get to see classics like Mothra, Rodan, and the Hydra King Ghidorah but this time with a little more classic thrown in that takes you back to their origins. As for Godzilla, as we saw at the end of the 2014 film, he is clearly set on the side of hero and ready to do battle to help protect humanity. If you came to see an award-winning film loaded with Academy Awards and the best acting you’ve ever seen then this isn’t the film for you. This is purely an action-packed monster film loaded with HUGE monsters destroying everything they touch. The human interaction between the monsters is well done in most scenes, between the moments of fear to the occasional understanding that Godzilla is here to help. All in all the actors pulled off a fun and exciting movie that was a blast to watch and fun to see what the director had around each corner.
We came to see Godzilla kick some monster butt, and this film delivered on that more so than any other to date including a massive monster battle including an exciting, final battle between all the monsters. King of the Monsters keeps you engaged with its story, monsters, explosions, and more…..and if you are a Godzilla fan then this movie is everything you could have possibly hoped for. The film looks absolutely amazing with its impressive beasts, to technology it brings. One major thing King of the Monsters did was to give the audiences MONSTERS and a lot of them as the 2014 Godzilla film was a bit lacking, but I’m excited about the next installment…..that is if they pursue the little hook they left at the end of the film.
One of my favorite series on Netflix over the last few months has definitely been The Haunting of Hill House. If you are a huge fan of the novel from Shirley Jackson written back in 1959 then you need to see this adaptation of the popular horror novel. One of the best parts about this show is the drama it brings to the screen, but also a level of terrifying moments that truly dig deep into the roots of the horror genre.
When the kids are young and still living in Hill House, they continually get visions of ghosts, zombies, and a tall slender man, but these visions follow them into adulthood, but most of these ghosts they face seem to be of their own making.  There’s a complex theme throughout the story concerning the house’s complicity in all of the kids’ failings as adults. This is where the show begins to take a really scary turn as things begin to manifest in the adult’s lives, and the plot really begins to thicken with a rich story.
Olivia like here children are affected by the house, but you also see a woman who is losing grip on reality which could be due to a troubled marriage, and stress of raising her five children. The director did something brilliant through the telling of the story and how things unfold to create a doubt in your mind as the viewer. You truly aren’t sure if what you are watching unfold on screen is because of a crazy family with mental issues, or if this family truly is seeing ghosts and have been living in a haunted house. Personally, the Haunting of Hill House has been one of the best Netflix original horror series released to date. Season 2 can’t get here fast enough to continue the unfolding of America’s most haunted family and haunted house.
After you get introduced to all the adults of the Losers Club, the speed of the overall story slow down a ton and you get a flashback of the young Losers Club in a clubhouse scene that wasn’t part of the first film. The young actors may only play smaller supporting roles in chapter two, but just like the first film, they did an absolutely amazing job! Even though chapter two focuses on the adult Losers Club, the characters to me just didn’t have the same impact that the kids did in the previous film.
IT chapter two had a ton more CGI than the first film did which was disappointing as it didn’t feel as nostalgic as the first film did. The CGI wasn’t the best either and really pulled away from the enjoyment of such an epic horror classic. On the plus side, the film had some truly amazing scary moments that made up for some of the sporadic plots.
A Hobbits Journey 