While the original “Ghostbusters” movies offered their own brand of comedy, this tease from Kumail Nanjiani could hint at the new movie being the most lighthearted in the franchise to date. If the idea was to make a feature-length live-action version of the cartoon with “Frozen Empire,” then you can expect a “Ghostbusters” movie targeting a decidedly younger audience than the ’80s originals. However, the trailer makes it clear that “Frozen Empire” will still feature a formidable, seemingly terrifying, paranormal threat to New York.
A mysterious force called the Death Chill is sweeping through the city and we hear Ray describe in gruesome detail the horrifying way it freezes its victims to death as they experience every excruciating moment. Couple that with some fairly disturbing imagery, and it can be difficult to imagine just how kid-friendly the movie will ultimately be, despite the comic relief peppered throughout the preview.
Either way, so far it seems like “Frozen Empire” will be a blast of nostalgia for anyone who grew up on either the original movies or the cartoons. While the surviving original Ghostbusters did appear at the end of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” in 2021, the reunion was brief and confined to one setting. Judging by the trailer, this time around they’ll have much more to do back in their original New York stomping grounds alongside the new “Afterlife” additions to the crew.
With multiple generations of Ghostbusters teaming up in a movie aiming to recapture the Saturday morning cartoon vibe, “Frozen Empire” looks like it could bring in a new generation of fans while still satisfying the ones who have been around since the beginning.
