Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a mixed bag of chills and thrills. While the film encompasses the creepy and kooky nature of the first Beetlejuice (1988), many moments will leave you wondering why they decided to make a sequel in the first place.
Nostalgia seems to be the key cultural concept of the past two decades. Considering the overwhelming state of the world, finding comfort in what elicited positive feelings in the past to regain a sense of peace in the present is beyond reasonable. However, many have taken it a tad too far.
Tim Burton is among the most popular directors in the business due to his creativity inspired by German Expressionism. He has a clear vision and executes it at almost every turn when given a chance to bring something to life for the screen. There’s no denying he has a clear identity and focus, making any cinematic venture a rousing ride. Beetlejuice cemented this fact. In 1988, Burton was still experimenting. He has grown as a filmmaker since then; however, many still couldn’t have prepared for his choices this second time.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows three generations of the Deetz family, with Lydia (Winona Ryder) at the center of the film’s focus. After Lydia’s father, Charles Deetz, is announced dead following a plane crash, she must return home to Winter River with stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Going back to the place that started it all strengthens connections to Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) when Lydia begins to have visions of the devilish trickster.
A sequel had first been envisioned around the nineties. It never came to fruition due to conflicting schedules, primarily with Burton prioritizing his Batman ventures. Years later, looking back at the potential of a Beetlejuice in Love or Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, what we got sounds predominantly superior just by titles alone. So, upon first viewing, it was easy to feel enchanted and seduced by the spectacle of it all. The production design is mouthwateringly enviable. As viewers, we can see more of the underworld and how it works which was one of the more charming aspects of the first film.
The performances were also impressive. Witnessing Chilean actor Santiago Cabrera portray Astrid’s father, Richardo, was a delightful surprise, given his exciting track record in recent years. As for the veterans, Catherine O’Hara hit it out of the park, going full-on into her comedic talent. Then there’s Michael Keaton, who took it one step further. With how familiar his mannerisms manifested, he easily made the audience feel like he never stopped playing the role in the first place.
As for newcomers, Justin Theroux had some hilarious moments as Rory. That being said, Willem Dafoe, as Wolf Jackson, a former actor who played a cop in real life and now turned law enforcer of the underworld, stole every scene he was in. Monica Belluci‘s haunted bride, Delores, was mesmerizing. However, Burton gave her nothing to work with beyond her unforgettable, iconic entrance. This was the case with Ryder’s Lydia as well. Considering where we left her off at the end of Beetlejuice, it’s hard to believe she would be in the state she’s in.
As for the storytelling, much like the first one, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice takes its sweet time getting to the core of the story. There are many times when the story wanders around the labyrinth it has crafted, creating problems with no real consequences. The stakes are high, but to what end?
Everything is resolved quickly, often with gimmicks used in the first film. However, it carries a more robust punch of grief than its predecessor. Jenna Ortega adds to this as she mourns a father her psychic medium mother refuses to bring up. There’s a complex nature to their relationship that is very much appreciated due to how this conflict pushes the rest of the film forward.
Despite this, Jenna Ortega’s character often falls into dated nuances of teenage life, such as old-school bullying styles, setting her apart as “different.” She’s also involved in a romantic relationship that plays into the more significant conflict of the film. Through this, it sometimes falls into the trap of painting Astrid as “not like other girls.” However, the twist that follows Ortega and the boy might surprise many as it did this reviewer!
Ultimately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is fun for the whole family. Dialing back on its grotesque perversions, there’s a newfound approachability in this most recent quarrel with the troublemaking ghoul. With memorable performances within a somewhat forgettable plot, it’s worth watching for the undeniable inventiveness alone.
Rating: 6/10
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