MOVIE REVIEW | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – After more than three decades, Tim Burton returns to the bizarre and colorful world of Beetlejuice with a much-anticipated sequel. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sees the return of familiar faces, including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, reprising their iconic roles from the 1988 cult classic. However, like many of Burton’s films, this one will undoubtedly split opinions just as sharply as the original.
Tim Burton has always been a divisive director. His whimsical, gothic style either captivates or alienates audiences, depending on their tolerance for his eccentricity. Films like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory epitomize this divide—some viewers appreciated his dark reimagining of the classic, while others lamented the loss of the warm nostalgia they associated with the original. Beetlejuice, when it first debuted in 1988, was a commercial success, earning over $75 million and cementing its place as a beloved piece of Burton’s filmography. The question now is whether this sequel lives up to that legacy.
The plot of Beetlejuice 2 centers around the Deetz family, now spanning three generations, returning to their haunted home in Winter River after a tragic event.
Lydia Deetz, played once again by Winona Ryder, finds her world disrupted by her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, who stumbles upon the town’s mysterious model in the attic, opening a portal to the Afterlife. Predictably, chaos ensues, and it isn’t long before the infamous Beetlejuice (Keaton) is summoned once more, bringing his signature brand of mayhem.
One of the biggest challenges of the film is its struggle to balance nostalgia with a fresh narrative. For fans of the original, there’s plenty to enjoy—Burton’s signature visual style is intact, and Keaton’s Beetlejuice still exudes the manic energy that made him a standout character. But despite these callbacks, the film feels more like a collection of “greatest hits” rather than a fully-fledged story that can stand on its own. The narrative, bogged down by excessive exposition, seems intent on explaining the backstory to viewers unfamiliar with the original. This decision not only slows the pacing but also dilutes the movie’s charm, which thrived on its irreverence and chaotic energy.
For newcomers to the Beetlejuice universe, the film may prove to be a letdown. Despite its big-budget production, the visuals at times come off as underwhelming, and the inclusion of unnecessary side characters and extended musical numbers feel like padding rather than meaningful additions.
It’s hard not to notice that the film, in trying to please both longtime fans and new audiences, struggles to hit its stride.
Ultimately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor. While it pays tribute to the original, honoring the iconic character and aesthetic that Burton created, it never really manages to carve out a unique identity for itself. Fans of the first film may appreciate the nostalgia trip, but for others, it might feel like a missed opportunity. In the end, much like the titular character, the movie shows flashes of chaotic brilliance but overstays its welcome.
Link to Universal Pictures HERE
MOVIE REVIEW | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
Rating
Aaron: 6 / 10 “caught between nostalgia and a new identity and missing both”
Zak: 5 / 10 “the musical number and lack of real laughs disappointed”
@universalpicsau
Cinema Experience:
Palace Cinemas offers a higher end of cinema experiences with a more luxurious city centre location and atmosphere. Staff are friendly and provided free snacks and drinks to movie goers. Excellent sound and seating.
Viewed at Palace Cinemas, Raine Square, Perth
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice.
Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Little Women) as Lydia Deetz and two-time Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt$ Creek, Corpse Bride) as Delia Deetz, with new cast members Justin Theroux (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, The Leftovers), Monica Bellucci (Spectre, The Matrix films), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) in his feature film debut, with Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI) as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, At Eternity’s Gate).
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River.
Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Burton, a genre unto himself, directs from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Wednesday), story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (The LEGO® Batman Movie), based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson.
The film’s producers are Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper and Burton, with Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Gough, Millar, Brad Pitt, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, Pete Chiappetta, Andrew Lary, Anthony Tittanegro, Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg executive producing.
Burton’s creatives behind the scenes includes director of photography Haris Zambarloukos (Meg 2: The Trench, Murder on the Orient Express); such previous and frequent collaborators as production designer Mark Scruton (Wednesday), editor Jay Prychidny (Wednesday), Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sleepy Hollow),
Oscar-winning creature effects and special makeup FX creative supervisor Neal Scanlan (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (Big Fish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman); and Oscar-winning hair and makeup designer Christine Blundell (Topsy-Turvy).
A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be released only in cinemas and IMAX on September 5, 2024 nationwide. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Beetlejuice releases in Australian cinemas 5 September, 2024.
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