Ghostbusters Frozen Empire Review – 80s Experts React

As a big fan of the original Ghostbusters movie, I was very interested in Afterlife and Frozen Empire. I enjoyed them. I'm glad they exist. But they didn't really have the same tone that the original had.

The 1984 movie was a very different movie. It was an adult action movie, with plenty of funny parts. It's tone was more along the lines of Beverly Hills Cop or Lethal Weapon, maybe with a pinch of The Blues Brothers – Not really movies designed for kids, despite many kids watching it. It didn't outright show adult things, but it had adult situations implied. Whereas Ghostbusters II seemed aware it was a big kid friendly franchise now and the movie changed (for the worse) accordingly.

Then years later the reboot "Answer The Call" came out. Again, it got the tone wrong. It went back to adult humour, but it was too much a cynical improv-driven comedy, with jokes and one liners in just about every part. The original Ghostbusters wasn't like that. It was certainly humourous in many parts, but they weren't "in your face" jokes much of the time. The funny bits were more subtle in their delivery. The reboot also had way too much cartoony action. Almost like a live action version of The Real Ghostbusters, with jokes.

Which brings me to Afterlife and Frozen Empire. These movies feel more like they have a Goonies or Neverending Story vibe. Being a fan of both those movies, I was certainly entertained. But it still didn't hit that tone the original movie had. And it's possible no modern movie can. 1984 was just a different time for movies.

Edit: I just wanted to add I wasn't a fan of how Egon was portrayed in Afterlife. He seems like someone obsessed with the seriousness of the occult. Way too much a scientific loner. In the original, he was the brains of the Ghostbusters (along with Ray), but he was a willing participant in the business side of things, as shown when you see him giving Peter hand signals on how much to charge the hotel manager. He also had some very good lines, said in a deadpan way, like "Print is dead" and "'I'm sorry, Venkman. I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought". Sure he didn't talk in Afterlife so it's hard to give him lines. But the tone seemed way too serious for me. I might have believed Ray would eventually go a bit nuts, but I just didn't believe that for Egon.

Kudos to ya'll for putting that Squeeze record front and center. Such a great album! On Ghostbusters Frozen Empire – As a huge fan who first saw Ghostbusters II is theaters as a small child, this one was disappointing compared to Afterlife. I still had some enjoyment.

Awesome Podcast!!! Keep it up guys! Keep the 80s alive. I know I will!

I miss the 80s

Slow beginning. I couldnt wait to get out of the movie… Sorry I didn't see something else. But, thats just my friend and mines opinion. He was so bored that he was biting his nails throughout the movie. And, I was bored and wondering WHY were people laughing? I guess a teenager wasn't into it though either… because it sounded like they were talking on the phone the whole time… I guess we are debbie downers! lol. 🙁 (I did like Slimer as a visual effects though…. 🙂 But, after the movie… my friend had come up with all kinds of ideas about how they could have made the movie better…

I liked the new ghostbusters movie i am glad this one and the last one was a continuation of the two original I hate when they do 80’s remakes when they could just put the original back in theaters and save money it’s always a red flag when they say remade for a modern audience .

I have not seen the film yet (and am planning to at some point), so I am going to postpone watching this video until after watching it.

Great review! Sounds like a good movie.