Summary
- Melody's communication as a ghost in Frozen Empire challenges existing Ghostbusters lore.
- Melody's unique relationship with Phoebe questions the morality and goodness of ghosts.
- The classification system struggles to explain Melody, prompting a need for further exploration in future movies.
Emily Alyn Lind's role as the sarcastic ghost Melody was a great addition to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's cast introduces a ghostly phenomenon that brings into question the entire franchise's world of ghosts.
Over the course of the Ghostbusters movies, the franchise has introduced a ghost classification system. This allows audiences to continue seeing some of their favorite specters, such as the Slimers or the Stay Puft Marshmallow Men. On the other hand, it also gives the movie parameters to create new ghostly characters. For example, a Ghostbusters installment can come up with spirit enemies that range from a Class I ghost to a Class VII. While Class I is an occurrence like flashing lights, Class VII is a human form with incredible powers. Yet, some ghosts don't fit this framework.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Ending Explained
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire sees the Ghostbusters up against a chilling new villain. We discuss the film's biggest moments & what's next for the team.
Emily Alyn Lind's Melody Makes Ghosts More Confusing In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Meoldy Is The First Ghost To Communicate
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Phoebe forms a bond with a ghost named Melody. Although Melody is an intriguing character who brings extra drama and excitement to the plot, she also messes with Ghostbusters lore. Throughout the Ghostbusters franchise, there has never been a ghost that communicates the way that Melody does. While ghosts have certainly been shown to affect their surroundings or possess others, they have never spoken to another human, much less a Ghostbuster. In this way, Melody is a complete anomaly in the Ghostbusters world.
If ghosts are able to appear as Melody does, and hold long conversations with humans, then why hasn't this come up before?
Melody's existence brings into question Ghostbusters lore. If ghosts are able to appear as Melody does, and hold long conversations with humans, then why hasn't this come up before? If Melody can form a special relationship with Phoebe, then it stands to reason that other ghosts would be able to do the same thing. In fact, it only makes sense that this would happen fairly often. Furthermore, Melody brings into question the goodness of ghosts. Previously, it was insinuated that all ghosts needed to be exterminated. Melody's story proves that some ghosts possess a conscience and morals.
Ghost Classifications Don't Fully Explain Melody In Frozen Empire
Future Ghostbusters Movies Need To Explain Phoebe & Melody's Relationship
The worst part of the Frozen Empire Melody confusion is that it defies the laws of the Ghostbusters ghost classifications. Considering that Melody can take a human form, speak, and possess others, it would seem that she is a Class VII ghost. However, based on the description of a Class VII ghost, that doesn't seem quite right. Melody could not change her form at will, nor could she summon pests. In reality, she had very little power against Garraka, and seemed quite harmless compared to Ghostbusters' most powerful ghosts.
Every Ghostbusters Movie |
|
|---|---|
Movie |
Release Date |
Ghostbusters |
June 8, 1984 |
Ghostbusters II |
June 16, 1989 |
Ghostbusters |
July 15, 2016 |
Ghostbusters: Afterlife |
November 19, 2021 |
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |
March 22, 2024 |
Overall, Melody raises more questions than answers. This is why the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire should have dug deeper into Melody and her connection to Phoebe. Perhaps their relationship was a one-time thing that came as a result of Phoebe's acute connection to ghosts. Maybe there are more ghosts like Melody that the Ghostbusters simply haven't met yet. Either way, Ghostbusters 6 needs to provide some explanation as to Melody's existence.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
- Release Date
- March 22, 2024
- Runtime
- 115 Minutes
- Director
- Gil Kenan
Cast
Mckenna Grace
WHERE TO WATCH
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.
- Writers
- Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan
Your comment has not been saved