Movie Review: ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’

‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’, the long-waited sequel to 1988’s ‘Beetlejuice’, which was once again directed by Tim Burton, opens in theaters on September 6th.The movie reunites Michael Keaton (‘Batman’), Winona Ryder (‘Stranger Things’) and Catherine O’Hara (‘Schitt’s Creek’) reprising their original characters and welcomes new cast members Justin Theroux (‘The Leftovers’), Monica Bellucci (‘Spectre’), Willem Dafoe (‘Poor Things’), and Jenna Ortega (‘Wednesday’), as well as Arthur Conti (‘House of the Dragon’) in his feature film debut.

​‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’, the long-waited sequel to 1988’s ‘Beetlejuice’, which was once again directed by Tim Burton, opens in theaters on September 6th.The movie reunites Michael Keaton (‘Batman’), Winona Ryder (‘Stranger Things’) and Catherine O’Hara (‘Schitt’s Creek’) reprising their original characters and welcomes new cast members Justin Theroux (‘The Leftovers’), Monica Bellucci (‘Spectre’), Willem Dafoe (‘Poor Things’), and Jenna Ortega (‘Wednesday’), as well as Arthur Conti (‘House of the Dragon’) in his feature film debut.   

‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’, the long-waited sequel to 1988’s ‘Beetlejuice‘, which was once again directed by Tim Burton, opens in theaters on September 6th.

The movie reunites Michael Keaton (‘Batman’), Winona Ryder (‘Stranger Things’) and Catherine O’Hara (‘Schitt’s Creek’) reprising their original characters and welcomes new cast members Justin Theroux (‘The Leftovers’), Monica Bellucci (‘Spectre’), Willem Dafoe (‘Poor Things’), and Jenna Ortega (‘Wednesday’), as well as Arthur Conti (‘House of the Dragon‘) in his feature film debut.

Related Article: Justin Theroux and Monica Bellucci Talk ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

Initial Thoughts

Tim Burton directs a screenplay written by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, and together the three bring us a true love letter to not only the original film but also to it’s fans. Scene by scene, frame by frame it is like watching the inner workings of Burton’s imagination come to life. The attention to detail of every moment was like watching a perfect Burton symphony play out on the screen and is undoubtedly why his work has become almost it’s own genre of magic. While some may find few scenes odd or misplaced, I found them to be in true Burton nature completely unexpected and fun.

Story and Direction

While the initial trailer left most fans feeling more than unsure, the second gave us a much closer look at what you can expect from the film. If you haven’t seen either, the film follows three generations of the Deetz family as they return home to Winter River following an unexpected tragedy and loss. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down by her rebellious daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who’s discovered the model of the town in the attic and soon the portal to the afterlife is opened again. Not only does our favorite mischievous demon return but trouble starts brewing in both realms for more than one Deetz daughter.

We find Lydia still questioning wether the living and dead can co-exist only with a new partner in tow Rory (Justin Theroux) who lets just say makes some seriously questionable choices all while trying to convince Lydia he’s not only the best choice as her manager but her possible husband. Beetlejuice is no longer searching the ad section for new work but has never quite let go of the “love of his life” Lydia and still dreams of becoming her husband. But thanks to a bit of what one could only call an origin story moment, we are introduced to a serious supernatural force who well can’t be reckoned with, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who brings a whole knew meaning to the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Masterfully directed by Burton, the sequel 35 years in the making comes together with an ease and excitement that only a true Beetlejuice lover could have brought to life. His love for the characters both new and old shines through each performance and shows that he was asking all the same questions the fans were, what would two of the most iconic characters in film lives look like 35 years later? Burton didn’t just revisit these characters, with the help of great story telling he gave them more depth, love and quirk letting the spirit of the original shine through, something I believe only he could do with the gravitas a sequel of this caliber needed.

The film delivers on every aspect if you’re looking for the ‘Beetlejuice’ experience, which in essence is a zany ride full of outlandish characters and a story that has as much fun with knowing what moments are tongue in cheek while allowing there to be room for great storylines full of heart. There are no other films or characters that give a breathe of life into something the way that ‘Beetlejuice’ has. From the afterlife waiting room to the dining room table the original gave us something to remember forever and it’s sequel hits the same marks.

The Cast

There is without a doubt not one weak link in terms of the cast for the entire film, well unless you count the shark bite victim in the waiting room, but we’ll let you decide on that one yourselves. Michael Keaton’s performance gave viewers an even better version of Beetlejuice, if that’s at all possible, with moments that will have you in tears from laughter and seeing a new side to the character that I found a little unexpected and absolutely heartwarming.

Keaton delivers in every way and gave fans that wow factor that made us all fall in love with Beetlejuice 35 years ago. Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and Lydia’s relationship has completely changed, now that Lydia is a parent herself, giving fans of the original even more depth to two already complex women who we never thought we’d ever see work together.

The relationship between Lydia and her daughter Astrid is like watching history repeat itself in the best way possible having Jenna Ortega bring the extreme sarcasm the world fell in love with from her roll of Wednesday. It allowed Ryder to show the audience a new sense of who Lydia has become and what parenting must be like when you can talk to ghosts.The characters of the afterlife are probably the most fun to watch, especially Bob and Jeff Shrinker who fans will adore.

Willem Dafoe’s character of Wolf Jackson, a cop who was an actor when he was alive who most likely did some very B list action movies, might be a little confused if you told him he wasn’t still the star of the show. Bellucci’s Delores is completely unforgettable as the most glamorous woman on a mission to do whatever it takes to get back her man, and her performance of her character becoming fully animated should be applauded.

The stand out performance for me hands down was that of Justin Theroux as Rory. Waiving every red flag possible, it was Rory’s world and everyone else was just living in it. He may not be the most complex man, but he took himself very seriously. Theroux’s ability to take a character so out of the wheelhouse from what fans have come to expect was a thrilling experience to watch. He gave a character who most of us would probably hate this undeniable spirit that was a welcomed addition to a cast of beloved characters. ,

Final Thoughts

If what you loved about the original was its quirky and campy, without feeling silly, look at the wild world of the afterlife and its crazy characters bleeding into daily life. Or even its slight gore within a story that’s told full of heart than ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ will be as beloved to you as was the original. With stand out performances that will bring you to tears from laughter and unexpected moments full of choices you’d never expect, the film will take you on an enjoyable albeit an insane ride full of fun. It will also give you some very very Burton moments, checking boxes of all the things that make Tim Burton spectacular.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ receives 9.5 out of 10 stars.

What is the plot of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?

36 years after the events of ‘Beetlejuice’, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles Deetz’s unexpected death. Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).

Who is in the cast of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?

Michael Keaton as BetelgeuseWinona Ryder as Lydia DeetzCatherine O’Hara as Delia DeetzJenna Ortega as Astrid DeetzJustin Theroux as RoryMonica Bellucci as DeloresWillem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson

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