Where it lent heavily on (dated) elements of the horror genre, innuendo and comedy the films of the last 10 years have relied more on nostalgia and softer spooks for entertainment.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire follows on from 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, where the Spengler family are trying to protect the world from an evil force that’s been unlocked by an ancient artifact. Together with “Firemaster” Nadeem (Kumail Nanjani) and the Ghostbusters of old, the Spengler’s must defend the planet from what could become a second ice age.
It’s a very full movie as it tries to advance the storyline of Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd) and his role as stepdad to the Spengler kids, while also checking in with the original Ghostbusters and introducing new characters, but its wild blend of action adds momentum and scope to what’s otherwise becoming an overdone reboot.
In the dialogue between Stanz (Dan Akroyd) and Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) the pair address being in their “golden era” and the expectations of their age. Teenagers Phoebe (McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) navigate being sidelined because of their youth and the responsibilities of stepping into adulthood. Parents Gary and Callie (Carrie Coon) represent the heads of a blended family and the dynamics at play in adult relationships.
Its wild blend of action adds momentum and scope to what’s otherwise becoming an overdone reboot.
Where Ghostbusters used to be all about ghoulish scares, the next generation of films is attempting to plant itself firmly in the family-comedy genre – the only challenge is there are still ghosts, and you’re still talking about life after death.
That’s where Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire finds both its strength and weakness: if you’ve got young kids or have an aversion to spiritual themes, it won’t be for you. But, if you’re interested in a dialogue about “the spirit realm” it teases out our fascination with it, and the risks of engagement.
If you believe in the supernatural world, and legitimate forces of good and evil, Ghostbusters asks questions about how they impact our natural world and what means of defence we have against them.
The Christian worldview says there are supernatural forces at play in our lives. Ephesians 6:12 says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ghostbusters asks questions about how supernatural forces of good and evil impact our natural world and what means of defence we have against them.
As for our defence against them, 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Those weapons are “the armour of God” described in Ephesians 6 – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the word of God.
Having a proton pack and a beige jumpsuit might look cooler, but in the real-life battle between good and evil, there’s a bit less tech involved.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is rated PG and is in cinemas now.
Feature image: Promotional image supplied by IMDB
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