As someone who grew up with the original Ghostbusters movies, I was initially skeptical about watching “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” with my son. But, boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The film managed to capture the essence of what made the franchise great – humor, heart, and, of course, ghosts!
As a lifelong fan of classic ’80s movies and a parent to a video game enthusiast, I was initially skeptical about the latest Ghostbusters reboot. However, having watched it, I can confidently say that it successfully combines the nostalgia of the original films with modern-day humor and engaging special effects, making it a must-watch for both old and new fans alike.
It wasn’t until I purchased the remastered version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game for his Nintendo Switch that my son developed an intense fandom for Ghostbusters. As a result, our family spent Halloween dressed as Ghostbusters due to his newfound obsession, and he frequently played outdoors with his Proton Pack, pretending to capture ghosts (Who could blame him? Capturing ghosts feels great!).
As a passionate gamer and dad, when Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (a movie we highly recommended) hit the big screen, I was thrilled, anticipating my son’s first cinematic Ghostbusters adventure. Unfortunately, on the very day of our planned visit, my car conked out, leaving us ticketless. However, with Netflix to our rescue, we eventually got to watch it at home. To my delight, he adored it as much as I had hoped. Here’s what caught his fancy the most.
Oh, and spoilers up ahead if you haven’t seen it yet.
Tiny Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men Were A Major Highlight For Him
As a dedicated gamer, I’d say there’s no denying that one iconic character stands shoulder-to-shoulder (or rather, marshmallow stack-to-marshmallow stack) with the Ghostbusters themselves – it’s none other than the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man! It’s hard to imagine a more memorable figure. Even in his towering debut, he was such a charming, cuddly sight that you couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming urge to give him a warm, friendly squeeze.
Indeed, my son had already recognized that character long before he encountered him in “Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered.” You see, every Halloween season, we would notice his costume on display at Spirit Halloween stores. Given his enduring popularity, it’s no surprise that this character is often hailed as iconic within the franchise. Personally, I find myself drawn more to “Ghostbusters II,” although many consider the original film as the best in the series.
Instead, let me share this: My boy is really fond of all those little Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men from this movie. We’ve got them in Afterlife, too, but since I feel that film doesn’t align with the spirit of the team my son admires, I haven’t shown it to him yet. He hasn’t watched it as of now.
However, he found delight in the playful pranks within Frozen Empire, for they frequently stirred up trouble and mayhem, much akin to the antics of the Minions depicted in Despicable Me films.
Each time those characters appeared again, my son would break into a wide, goofy smile, and when they showed up in the extra scene during credits, he turned to me and expressed, “They were the best part of the entire film.” Honestly, I can’t help but agree with him. Indeed, they stood out as one of the movie’s highlights.
The Villain Was Really Cool, Albeit, A Little Scary
My son is fond of the franchise because it’s frightening, but not excessively so (It’s scary enough to make our top 50 horror movies list!). As a result, he didn’t experience any nightmares while confronting the video game enemies, some of which also appear in the films.
Instead, it’s worth noting that the majority of this game is focused more on humor than on horror. Consequently, my child might find the imposing antagonist, Garraka, too intense or scary for his current comfort level in this particular film.
Currently, Garraka comes across as rather unsettling, yet my child, who I brought to watch Godzilla, isn’t easily frightened. Consequently, when he debuted in the film with his gaunt appearance and long, sharp nails, my child commented, “That’s definitely creepy.” However, he also found the character intriguing due to his ability to freeze New York City.
In simpler terms, my boy found it appealing that unlike certain Ghostbuster antagonists who were quite talkative (such as Vigo), Garraka hardly spoke, which my son liked. Additionally, he appreciated the aspect where Garraka could communicate with other ghosts through a spherical room.
So, yes, the villain was another highlight for my son as well, who absolutely adored this flick.
He Was Happy To See The Older Ghostbusters, And Wished The Movie Was More About Them
As a long-time fan of the Ghostbusters franchise, I can tell you that the 2009 video game holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, I was captivated by the original movies and eagerly awaited any new addition to the series. When the game was released, it felt like a dream come true. The fact that it included Harold Ramis’ final performance as Egon made it even more meaningful for me, given my deep appreciation for his contributions to the franchise. In many ways, I consider the game to be an unofficial third film, as it continued the storyline from Ghostbusters II and offered a satisfying conclusion to the saga. It was a fitting tribute to Ramis’ legacy and a fantastic way to keep the spirit of Ghostbusters alive for future generations.
It appears that your son isn’t bonding with any of his new team members. He doesn’t seem to be interested in McKenna Grace, Paul Rudd, or Finn Wolfhard. Interestingly, when the movie began, he expressed his preference for the original Ghostbusters by saying, “Where are the genuine Ghostbusters?”
Absolutely, I shared with him, “These indeed are the authentic Ghostbusters; they’re just the latest iteration.” Yet, he vehemently disagreed. He was eager to know where Ray, Peter, Egon, and Winston – his and my beloved Ghostbusters – were. Given that I knew they would make an appearance in the movie (unfortunately, I had to inform him that Egon had passed away in real life), I reassured him, “They’re on their way.”
In the end, he felt delighted upon seeing Dan Aykroyd as Ray in his quaint occult store. His joy reached its peak when Ernie Hudson appeared too (and interestingly, only slightly entertained when Bill Murray popped up, as Venkman isn’t his preferred Ghostbuster among them).
It turned out that he was pleasantly surprised to see Annie Potts and William Atherton playing Janine and Walter in the movie. Interestingly, they’re part of the game too, and he appreciated their presence in the film. However, deep down, he wished the entire film had featured the original cast members. Despite the excellent performances of the new actors, I’m guessing many others share his sentiment.
He Was Also, Of Course, Happy To See Slimer
It’s reasonable to assume that Slimer, being associated with both the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and Ghostbusters, is likely one of the top three favorite characters from the series. My son was thrilled to find him in the movie as well.
In this narrative, a lovable yet inconsequential spirit isn’t central to the plot but serves as a catalyst for Finn Wolfhard’s character’s actions, attempting to ensnare the well-known apparition. However, my boy anticipated Slimer’s appearance the moment he spotted the scattered wrappers on the floor. “Slimer is inside,” he explained, gesturing towards the screen. I inquired about his knowledge and he replied, “Observe the food; Slimer enjoys eating.”
Yes, Slimer indeed loves to eat, and he was hidden in the pile of wrappers. his presence is just another example of how this movie gives the fans what they want. Speaking of which…
In The End, He Thought The Story Moved At A Good Pace, And That It Was Never Boring
While many people seemed to love the film “Afterlife”, I must admit it didn’t resonate with me at all. In fact, it ranks as my least preferred “Ghostbusters” movie, and that’s why I hesitated to introduce it to my son. It leans more towards seriousness rather than comedy, which seems out of step with the lighter mood and tone of the other films.
Fortunately, the movie “Frozen Empire” seems to hark back to its original style. Although it’s not flawless and does have minor drawbacks, it remains a solid film that keeps the audience engaged. In fact, I found myself engrossed enough in the movie to occasionally pause it while watching with my son on the couch – all so I could check if my laundry needed to go in the dryer. This seemed to amuse my son, who quipped, “You’re pausing at all the best parts!”
It seems that I was captivated, primarily due to the fact that the majority of the film consisted of “interesting scenes,” and he remained fully invested throughout.
So, in the end, he loved it, and I thought it was pretty good, too.
Hey there buddy! I hope you’re doing swell. I recently stumbled upon this intriguing flick titled “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and thought it would be right up your alley. I reckon you might have seen it, but if not, let me tell ya, it’s a real crackerjack! It’s available on Netflix, or if you fancy owning it, you can grab it on Prime to rent or buy. I’ve got a soft spot for spooky movies, and this one left quite an impression on me – hope it does the same for you!
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2024-07-31 23:07