The Spengler family returns to where it all began, the iconic firehouse in New York. They have to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who have set up a top-secret research lab to take ghost hunting to the next level. When an ancient artifact unleashes an army of ghosts that threatens the city with an icy danger, both Ghostbuster teams must join forces to protect their home and save the world from another ice age.
I reread my review of the previous movie and could almost copy and paste it here.
Reitman hands over the reins to co-writer Gil Kenan, but the movie leans heavily on fan service (return to New York, return of Slimer, more presence of the original characters, the reappearance of iconic figures from the first movie, the library lion, and the possessed Ecto-1, etc.). It tries to maintain its legacy style, similar to Amblin films, with a double introduction that works well, like the previous film’s. However, it struggles to find its own identity and give all its characters (original, previous, and new) meaningful roles, with some disappearing for about 15 minutes (it feels like Finn Wolfhard only had a few days to film).
As a result, while it attempts to tell a story, the character arcs (Paul Rudd as the new stepdad, the always charming McKenna Grace being treated like a kid and having a cool, low-key romance) and the overall plot (which requires constant and not very engaging exposition) feel functional but unremarkable. It has some fun moments, but since it doesn’t go for full comedy, it feels a bit flat.
It’s not bad or unpleasant but feels awkward.
