It’s been forty years since the “ghostbusters” have been killing ghosts in the saga Ghostbusters. It was in 1984 that Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis launched this concept which The Ice Menace is the fifth manifestation. “The secret to success is the characters,” director Gil Kenan explains to 20 minutes. Whether humans or ghosts, they transcend generations to become icons of popular culture. »
Like in the 1980s
The Ice Menace perfectly illustrates this concept. The old (Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts), the newest (Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon) and the youngest (MacKenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard) offer intergenerational heroes that every age group can relate to. identify. “I was a fan of Ghostbusterssays Finn Wolfhard, actor well known to fans of the series Strangers Things. The mix of comedy and fantasy makes it stand the test of time. » This cocktail is carefully measured in this new opus.
The heroes find themselves confronted with a refrigerating entity and a very young ghost also plays a crucial role. Gil Kenan has rediscovered the good-natured atmosphere of 1980s films in this film which knows how to make you smile and shiver. “I grew up with the saga,” says McKenna Grace, “but I also thought about classics like Goonies Or Gremlins. »
Her character is a link between past and present: she plays the granddaughter of Dr. Egon Spengler, the historical “ghostbuster” played by Harold Ramis who died in 2014. This period which saw blockbusters flourish is the subject of a palpable nostalgia in Hollywood. Many creators would like to rediscover its charm.
The memory of innocence
“These films presented positive characters grounded in everyday life and devoid of paranormal powers,” says Gil Kenan. We felt close to them when they were confronted with dangerous creatures. » Humans must find their place in the midst of increasingly sophisticated special effects. “There was a certain innocence in the 1980s,” remembers Gil Kenan. To be completely frank, I don’t know if it was real or if it was fantasized in hindsight, but it showed up in the films. » Magnified or not, this period gave great moments of cinema. “The triumph of series like Stranger Things proves that these ingredients are not expired, insists Gil Kenan. The public needs family entertainment with a well-crafted storyline and well-drawn characters. »
Line writing
The key word was dropped: “scenario”. This is also what characterized the 1980s. At that time, screenwriters and filmmakers were trying new concepts that would be repeated ad nauseam for decades. “It’s true,” admits Gil Kenan. They have built solid foundations on which we can rely to innovate while respecting their creation. This is why the presence of Dan Aykroyd was very important for us. » SOS Ghosts: The Ice Menace makes the split between 1984 and 2024 by offering the best of both eras.