GHOSTHUNTERS ON ICY TRAILS (2015)

Gespensterjäger, Ghosthunters on Icy Trails (2015)
Directed by: Tobi Baumann
Written by: Christian Tramitz, Cornelia Funke, Martin Ritzenhoff, Mike O'Leary, Murmel Clausen, Roland Slawik, Tobi Baumann
Starring: Anke Engelke, Bastian Pastewka, Karoline Herfurth, Milo Parker

GHOSTHUNTERS ON ICY TRAILS (2015)
Directed by Tobi Baumann
In UK cinemas nationwide from 2nd October 2015

Professional ghosthunter Hetty Cuminseed finds herself dismissed from the CGI (Central Ghosthunting Institute) but it isn’t long before she realises her services are needed more than ever when an 11 year old boy named Tom Thompson finds a green, slimeball ASG (Averagely Scary Ghost) named Hugo in his basement. It turns out that Hugo has been driven out of his manor house by another ghost, the highly dangerous AIG (Ancient Ice Ghost) that was thought to be extinct. After causing the last ice age, the AIG spreads its frosty evil across the town in the height of summer. Can the oddball team of stubborn loner Hetty, scaredy-cat Tom and dopey goo ghost Hugo banish the AIG for good and save the town from another ice age?

Spooky family fantasy adventure film GHOSTHUNTERS ON ICY TRAILS is a sure-fire hit with the kids and parents as likable young boy Tom Thompson (played by the marvellous Milo Parker from Robot Overlords) attempts to conquer his fear of ghosts and bumps in the dark by befriending a ghost in his own basement and challenging the ghouls head on with the help of an experienced ghosthunter who usually prefers the company of herself and her books. Initially, Hetty Cuminseed doesn’t want anything to do with Tom but the information he divulges about ASG ghost Hugo and the reason behind his move to Tom’s basement ties in with some weird activity she’d monitored prior to being sacked by the Central Ghosthunting Institute. Tom and Hugo could just be the helping hand she needs to take down the suspected AIG.

Even though I’m an adult, I still enjoy watching kids movies providing they’re the kind that don’t dumb themselves down too much, after all kids are cleverer than some people make out. Fortunately, GHOSTHUNTERS ON ICY TRAILS is a film that understands this and blends kid-friendly action and humour with a plot that is both exciting for kids to watch and for the adults to also enjoy. There’s the clumsy but cute ghost Hugo who’s quite a fun character and the fearful yet courageous young Tom who kids will instantly connect with and relate to. Throw in the adult Hetty who understands Tom more than his parents ever could and you have a winning team on your hands. With a villainous ice-monster on the loose, a snooty, snotty Central Ghosthunting Institute looking down their noses and Tom’s brattish older sister, there’s plenty for Tom, Hetty and Hugo to rebel against.

With its blend of live action and CGI ghosts, its little nod towards Men in Black, its adventurous streak and its overall fun factor, GHOSTHUNTERS ON ICY TRAILS is some ghosthunting entertainment that can be enjoyed by all the family with solid performances and chemistry from the lead stars Anke Engelke (Hetty) and Milo Parker (Tom).

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