Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – 4K Review
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Sony Pictures | 2024
PG13 | 1hr 55 min | Fantasy | Supernatural | Sci-Fi
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Mckenna Grace | Paul Rudd | Carrie Coon | Finn Wolfhard | Logan Kim | Celeste O’Connor
Directed by: Gil Kenan
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Almost reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Just about reference.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 5-
Audio: 5-
Technical Review – Native 4K HDR10
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was captured digitally in the ARRIRAW codec at 4.5K by cinematographer Eric Steelberg using Arri Alexa LF Mini cameras with Panavision T Series anamorphic lenses. It was finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This triple-layer BD100 disc has been well authored and shows no use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and no obvious compression artifacts or significant noise. The package also contains an HD Blu-ray and redeemable digital code.
With the film shot in a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a good display of crisp, sharp detail, with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide excellent detail and definition, from the uniforms and costumes stitching, the pile of sweet wrappers, the copper etched shrine to the brickwork and concrete of the streets of NY City. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are generally very good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and rarely looking soft. Effects like explosions, flying objects, proton beams, debris and ghostly vapors are well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. General lighting, ECTO-1’s emergency lights, Garraka’s piecing eyes, metallic finishes and proton beams all sparkle with a true-to-live impact. All creating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating an good depth of image.
The color palette presents with a solid array of vibrant colors and a cool overall appearance. Color fidelity is excellent throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant. From the pinks, purples and greens of the proton beams, the yellows, oranges and reds of the Fire Guard to the ectoplasmic greens and blues and vivid logo reds. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout, be they human or ghost, looking very natural.
This video is very good on all fronts, providing an almost reference HDR10 image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire roars into home theaters with an almost reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was engaging whether during an emotional drama or an action scene having extended bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with good sub involvement and plenty of surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are constantly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener both into calm environments and action-packed sonic spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like the Fire House, its basement and the New York streets. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity, to the bursts of the proton beams, falling debris, cracking and breaking ice and concrete, both inside and out. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is solid, having the low-end extension that this movie deserves. Fully supporting the ice storms, exploding concrete, vehicle impacts, the packs ‘nuclear’ surge and impactful proton beams and the growl of the ECTO-1. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always crystal clear and well detailed with an excellent mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Dario Marianelli offers a good supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear, and presented with good bass. Hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and very good integration within the soundstage.
An very good audio track that almost makes its way to reference levels.
Story Overview
The Spengler family, having saved the world from an ancient god of destruction in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), decide to return to New York City. Teaming up with the original Ghostbusters they return to their original seat of fun, the iconic New York firehouse, discovering that the original team had developed a top-secret research lab to take ghost busting to the next level. Just as things seem to be settling down, the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes the mysterious and evil Garraka, who controls the Death Chill creating chaos and evil as the world plunges into darkness. Now two generations of Ghostbusters must join forces to protect the world from a possible coming of a second ice age.
My 2 cents
Let me first say that I did find the movie entertaining and the video and audio were both close to reference. The film has energy, and some very fun action sequences, but in many ways seemed to be the most directionless of the franchise, trying to expand their world by simply reintroducing their classic New York home setting. But why so many new characters, many of who added little to the story, is the franchise getting ready for the original Ghostbusters to becomes ghosts themselves? The film appeared to be trying to please everybody but never lived up to its possible potential taking over an hour to get to the meat of the story.
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