By
KOMAL NAHTA
Columbia Pictures, Ghost Corps, Bron Creative and Right Of Way Films’ Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a supernatural comedy. It is the fifth in the Ghostbusters series and sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Three years have elapsed since the events in Summerville, Oklahoma. Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon), her boyfriend, Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd), her children, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), and close friends, Lucky Domingo (Celeste O’Connor) and Podcast (Logan Kim), relocate to New York City to aid Winston Zeddermore ( Ernie Hudson) and Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) in re-establishing the Ghostbusters. The group faces threats of closure by Walter Peck (William Atherton) who is a long-time opponent of the Ghostbusters and is now the new mayor. How the Ghostbusters defend their headquarters, aided by Nadeem Razmaadi (Kumail Nanjiani), forms the crux of the drama.
Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman have written an interesting story and screenplay but the drama gets very confusing because there are too many characters. The comedy tickles the funny bone but not consistently so.
Paul Rudd acts ably as Gary Grooberson. Carrie Coon does well as Callie Spengler. Mckenna Grace is impactful as Phoebe. Kumail Nanjiani makes his mark as Nadeem Razmaadi. Logan Kim has his moments as Podcast. Celeste O’Connor makes her presence felt in the role of Lucky Domingo. Emily Alyn Lind makes her mark as Melody. Dan Aykroyd is natural as Dr. Ray Stantz. Ernie Hudson is alright as Winston Zeddermore. Finn Wolfhard is fair as Trevor. William Atherton is effective as mayor Walter Peck. Patton Oswalt is nice in the role of Dr. Hubert Wartzki. James Acaster leaves a fine mark as Dr. Lars Pinfield. Bill Murray (as Dr. Peter Venkman) and Annie Potts (as Janine Melnitz) are adequate.
Gil Kenan’s direction is impressive. Dario Marianelli’s background music is good. Eric Steelberg’s cinematography is wonderful. Eve Stewart’s production designing is of a good standard. Editing (Nathan Orloff and Shane Reid) is crisp.
On the whole, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a very ordinary fare and will do dull business. The original English version will do better business because of the franchise value among the audience.
Released on 26-4-’24 at Gemini (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by Sony Pictures Films India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was dull everywhere.