Parisa Taghizadeh / Warner Bros. Pictures
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, stylish sequel that marks a much-needed return to form for the director.
Pros:
- Scene-stealing comedic turns by Keaton, O’Hara, Dafoe
- Tim Burton’s go-for-broke direction
- A fun, absurd blend of comedy and light horror
Cons:
- An overstuffed plot
- One underbaked, key emotional throughline
- Several underused characters and actors
Set 36 years after the events of its beloved predecessor, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice finds Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) in a place of creative and spiritual decay. As the host of a supernatural investigation show, Lydia has found a way to monetize her unique paranormal powers, but she’s still haunted by visions of unhappy ghosts and her former tormentor, the wily demon Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton). Even worse, she’s wound up trapped in a toxic, codependent relationship with her greedy producer and longtime boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux), who is intent on convincing Lydia to marry him.
Lydia is wrenched out of her funk by her narcissistic stepmother, Delia (a scene-stealing Catherine O’Hara), who informs her that Charles, Delia’s husband and Lydia’s father, has suddenly died while on a bird-watching expedition. In one of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s many stylistic tangents, Burton partly visualizes this trip-gone-horribly-wrong in an appropriately absurd Claymation sequence.
To say that’s only scratching the surface of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s knotty plot would be an understatement. The script by Wednesday creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s is full of more characters, ideas, and gags than it knows what to do with.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s increased focus on its franchise’s crooked, psychedelic version of the afterlife helps make up for some of its weaker elements. Mark Scruton’s production design works perfectly in tandem with Haris Zambarloukos’ colorful cinematography to create an updated vision of life after death that seems simultaneously more magical, mundane, absurd, and disorienting than it did in 1988’s Beetlejuice.
Due to the overstuffed nature of its plot, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice moves at relentless, breakneck pace for much of its 105-minute runtime. Burton’s go-for-broke attitude lifts the new film up and matches the energy of both Keaton and O’Hara, who turn in the sequel’s funniest and best performances.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a legacy sequel that stands remarkably well on its own because it is less concerned with reminding you of what came before than it is with entertaining you here and now. Along the way, the film also gives back to its director the spark that his work has long been lacking. The juice is, indeed, loose (again).
Conclusion:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, stylish sequel that marks a much-needed return to form for the director. While it has its flaws, the film is a great example of a legacy sequel done right. It stands well on its own, entertaining audiences without relying too heavily on nostalgia. If you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a good time at the movies, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is definitely worth checking out.
FAQs
What is the plot of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows Lydia Deetz, the host of a supernatural investigation show, as she navigates a new reality after the death of her father and the introduction of her daughter, Astrid. The film explores themes of creative and spiritual decay, codependent relationships, and the afterlife.
Who is in the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
The film features an all-star cast, including Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci.
What is the tone of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has a fun, absurd, and comedic tone, blending elements of light horror and dark humor. The film is a great example of a legacy sequel done right, entertaining audiences without relying too heavily on nostalgia.
Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice worth watching?
Yes, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is definitely worth watching. The film is a fun, stylish sequel that marks a much-needed return to form for the director. It stands well on its own, entertaining audiences without relying too heavily on nostalgia. If you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a good time at the movies, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is definitely worth checking out.
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