Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

[BetterButter]

 

[Spartan Girl]

I’m in. I don’t even have to think about it.

[Morrigan2575]

Finally! I've been waiting for this.

[Anduin]

Looks fun! Also, I thought that was Zendaya at first. It's Celeste O'Connor, of course.

[enoughcats]

A spring release is good, a late summer with the theater AC turning down at the appropriate time might merit a reshowing.

[BetterButter]

 

[starri]

+1 for Janine getting in on the action, at least.

[Spartan Girl]

Oh yeah I’m in!

[Fool to cry]

I never thought in a million years seeing Walter Peck again would actually make me feel nostalgic!

[MadyGirl1987]

I’m excited for this! Looks like a lot of creepy fun! Cool to see Walter Peck back and as I love Annie Potts, I’m happy to see it looks like she will be more than a cameo this time! Wonder if Dana will be busting ghosts as well?

[Anduin]

A second ice age. Really? What terrible science. Did you know that the world is still in its fifth ice age? Amazing what just two minutes on Wikipedia will tell you.

Yes, this movie is clearly fantasy. But when you refuse to do even the slightest bit of research, someone who actually does the research will call you out and be repulsed rather than entertained by the trailer.

A new ice age. Another ice age. While we're technically still in one, I can accept a little wiggle room on that front. Unless in the world of Ghostbusters, the world only had one ice age, and there's no ice currently at the poles. But if that's the case, shouldn't the sea levels be higher? Unless the world had less water to start with than our own. Unfortunately, I'm no geoscientist, I can't speculate on how different the world would be with less water.

In short, it's annoying.

[baldryanr]

Honestly, what is the world coming to if we can't expect the highest levels of scientific accuracy in a Ghostbusters movie?  Especially since Ray Stantz is one of the foremost experts in the field of paleoclimatology.  Come on, do the damn research!

[Anduin]

45 minutes ago, baldryanr said:

Honestly, what is the world coming to if we can't expect the highest levels of scientific accuracy in a Ghostbusters movie?  Especially since Ray Stantz is one of the foremost experts in the field of paleoclimatology.  Come on, do the damn research!

I just find it frustrating. Would it kill them to do two minutes of research? Further, I wonder what else they've been sloppy about. Even outside that, was that the fanservice trailer? Oh, nostalgia. Oh, old characters coming back. Is that the best they have to offer?

[Sarah 103]

I thought the ice-age was the horrible thing/the big event they are trying to prevent due to the supernatural evil they are dealing with. The ice age is not a natural thing that is occurring, but a horrible consequence of what will happen if the supernatural is not stopped in time. 

Also, the characters are experts in the paranormal not climate or the natural world. 

[tv echo]

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE - Final Trailer (HD)
Sony Pictures Entertainment   Mar 1, 2024

[Anduin]

1 hour ago, tv echo said:

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE - Final Trailer (HD)
Sony Pictures Entertainment   Mar 1, 2024

Looks better than the other trailer, but still more of a wait until streaming than want to see it right now. Maybe if the reviews are good.

[Spartan Girl]

Don’t listen to the critics, this movie was fun!

I think the bit with Ray defending that ghostbusting was how he wanted to spend his golden years was a call out to all the people who mock Dan Aykroyd for not being able to let Ghostbusters or Blues Brothers go. And you know what? He’s right. You don’t always have to give up things you’re passionate about.

McKenna was great as usual. Phoebe’s subplot with Melody had a very strong LGBTQ vibe.

Good to see Slimer again, and the mini Stay-Pufts. Kumail was hilarious.

Can’t believe Peck is now mayor. Douchey as ever.

Say what you want about Bill Murray, he still delivers.

Loved seeing Janine finally get to suit up!

Edited March 22 by Spartan Girl

[Morrigan2575]

I don't understand the negative reviews I thought this was a good film. A few laughs, some great character moments and, they had a compelling story. They may have telegraphed the ending a bit. However, I prefer that to no setup or a story that doesn't make sense.

If I had a complaint it was focusing so much on Phobe again. I came away from this movie feeling really bad for Trevor, who is a good hearted, brave kid that is pretty much ignored by his entire family.

Edited March 23 by Morrigan2575

[AimingforYoko]

On 3/22/2024 at 4:45 PM, Spartan Girl said:

Can’t believe Peck is now mayor. Douchey as ever.

Yeah, New York would never vote for an asshole as mayor.

[nilyank]

2 hours ago, AimingforYoko said:

Yeah, New York would never vote for an asshole as mayor.

So he is Giuliani.

[mariah23]

14 hours ago, nilyank said:

So he is Giuliani.

Are you sure he isn’t based on Adams?

[tv echo]

‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Leads Box Office With $45 Million Debut
By Rebecca Rubin   March 24, 2024
https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-box-office-opening-weekend-1235950537/ 

Quote

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” ruled over the domestic box office and arrived on the higher end of expectations.

The latest installment in Sony’s supernatural comedy series has collected $45.2 million in its debut in 4,345 North American theaters. Earlier in the weekend, “Frozen Empire” looked like it would top out with $42 million but estimates were revised up after a bigger-than-expected Sunday. At the international box office, the film ignited to a tepid $16.4 million from 25 markets for a global start of $61 million.

Still, those domestic ticket sales are just barely ahead of its 2021 predecessor, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which earned $44 million to start while the box office was deep in pandemic recovery mode. It’s a sign that the 30-year-old franchise hasn’t expanded its constituency beyond the original (and aging) core fans of the business of busting ghosts.

Plus, “Frozen Empire” carries a bigger budget than the last one, costing $100 million to produce and many millions more to market. It’ll need to far outgross “Afterlife” ($204 million globally against a $75 million budget) to justify its price tag since cinema operators get to keep roughly 50% of revenues. Sony expects the movie to benefit from spring break, but “Frozen Empire” will face steep competition next weekend from “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”

Edited March 25 by tv echo

[Morrigan2575]

I feel like that article is exaggerating a but, they added 25 million to the budget. Both movies were promoted so it's not like the media expenses weren't factored in for Afterlife.

If you go by the Rule of Thumb for Box Office it's 2.5x the Budget, 187M is the breakeven for Afterlife and 250 for Frozen Empire. Afterlife was a mild success, Frozen Empire might track the same.

 

Edited March 25 by Morrigan2575

[Spartan Girl]

You have to love how Peter randomly dons a pair of sunglasses right in the middle of the big battle. I wonder if that was Bill’s little tribute to John Belushi, who was originally supposed to be Peter before he died.

I really didn’t like Phoebe getting all snotty with her mother about being a better Ghostbuster than her. It was unfair that she was getting benched when she was the one that brought everyone back together, but come on. That was bratty even by regular teenager standards.

@Morrigan2575 I didn’t get the impression that Trevor was neglected at all. He’s 18 and therefore more independent…but yeah he could have had more to do than just the Slimer running gag.

Edited March 26 by Spartan Girl

[Browncoat]

Finally got to see this last night, and it was fine.  I think my primary complaint (other than the assholes in the theater trying to record the movie on their phones -- and yes, I complained to the theater people, who shut it right down) is that the buildup was sooooooo long.  And then it felt like five minutes of very predictable action at the end. 

I thought it was hilarious that Peck is mayor, and that someone in the crowd called him dickless.

Actually, I loved all the Easter eggs and callbacks to the original, although I'm getting a little tired of the tiny Stay-Pufts. 

[Kel Varnsen]

Took my daughter to it and it was a ton of fun. Only thing I didn't like was how bringing back Podcast (and to a lesser extent Lucky) seemed really forced. And the movie would have worked just as well without Podcast since there were already a ton of characters.

On 3/22/2024 at 5:45 PM, Spartan Girl said:

Phoebe’s subplot with Melody had a very strong LGBTQ vibe.

I noticed that and wondered if I was just imagining things or if they were going with. Because it definitely seemed like Phoebe sneaking out because she was secretly dating someone. Both actresses seemed to play it that way and did really well. And even some of the camera shots were how you would shoot a couple. Which also kind of worked since when Melody betrayed Phoebe it definitely hit harder.

[Sarah 103]

On 3/22/2024 at 5:45 PM, Spartan Girl said:

McKenna was great as usual. Phoebe’s subplot with Melody had a very strong LGBTQ vibe.

I was wondering if I was seeing something that wasn't really there. Great to know I'm not the only one who picked up on that, and I almost never pick up on stuff like that. 

The scene of  

Spoiler

Phoebe and Melody walking back reminded me of the scene of Jim and Plato outside Jim's house in Rebel Without a Cause. There was a moment when I wondered if Phoebe and Melody were actually going to kiss. I know you can make case for Phoebe and Melody as just friends, but based on some of the dialogue and the way it was filmed, I could also make a case for implied romance.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It was pure summer blockbuster fun. It was a love letter and a nostalgia fest for the original movie, and I don't see that as a problem. It was telling its own original story. I also enjoyed the way the different subplots came together at the end. 

[nilyank]

I totally thought that Phoebe climbed into the extractor machine to project herself as a ghost in order to be able to touch/kiss Melody, only to find out that she was betrayed.

[Spartan Girl]

I guess I’m the odd person out in saying that I like Podcast and I think it’s cool for Ray to have a protege to get business for the store. I wish they’d given Lucky more to do though.

[Kel Varnsen]

8 hours ago, nilyank said:

I totally thought that Phoebe climbed into the extractor machine to project herself as a ghost in order to be able to touch/kiss Melody, only to find out that she was betrayed.

Oh yea the way they shot that scene and how close Phoebe got to Melody it definitely seemed like they were going to kiss. It's too bad they didn't make it more clear, a scene with Phoebe talking to Podcast about how she was dating someone and how great they were but she couldn't tell her family would have been a good use for his character. They could even have kept him at home but have them talking over video chat.

[tennisgurl]

I finally got the chance to see this, and it was a really fun time! Its the kind of popcorn blockbuster that I love seeing when the weather gets warmer. It had a great blend of nostalgia and telling its own story and I really like how they used the old gang. Ray really got a chance to shine in this one especially, and I love that Janine got to suit up and get in on the action! 

The main problems I had with this movie mostly had to do with pacing. I like that we spent a lot of time building up to the main bad guy and building a mythology around him, but I think they spent just a little too much time on building up Garraka and not much time actually fighting him. I also feel bad that Trevor was quite underused, he was hardly in the movie except for his comedy subplot with Slimer, I know that even in the first movie Phoebe was the main focus, but both siblings had arcs and a party to play. 

I definitely got more than a "just good ghost gal pals" vibe from Melody and Phoebe, when Phoebe became a ghost it felt like they were about to kiss for a second before Melody betrayed her. 

Kumail Nanjiani is a great addition to the franchise.

"Dude, you used all the lighter fluid! 

"You TOLD ME to practice!" 

That opening in the 1910's was actually really creepy, I think that's something that the franchise should lean into more, actually creepy things happening.

Edited April 15 by tennisgurl