“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a comedic, visually thrilling sequel that resurrects Tim Burton’s quirky aesthetic back to life. With Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder returning to this iconic world, the film brings the audience nostalgia while also offering new laughs and levels of absurdity. The humor, while often gross (remaining true to the original), keeps the film alive, even when the story doesn’t always hold up. While it is a fun watch, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” struggles to provide a cohesive plot, making it seem like it cares more about style over substance.
Nostalgia and New Faces
One of the film’s greatest strengths is how well it blends the old film with the new one. Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice is fantastic. His chaotic antics still hit all the right notes, even 36 years later. Ryder’s performance as Lydia Deetz is just as lovely as ever. The relationship with her on-screen daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega), brought unexpected emotional moments to the film. It was moving to see these characters evolve while still maintaining the dark humor that made them beloved in the first film.
Ortega shines in her role, fitting effortlessly into Burton’s quirky world. This is no surprise considering her role as Wednesday Addams in another Tim Burton project. The film also features notable performances from Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s ex-wife Delores, as well as arguably the best character in the film, Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson, a ghost detective in the afterlife.
Captivating but Messy
The opening of the film is nostalgic and transports the viewer into the world with its mix of music and shots. The sets are visually stunning, full of bright yet morbid details that Burton fans will love. The practical effects, including animatronics and creative prosthetics, offer a refreshing break from the CGI-heavy movies of today. The film was crafted with an eye for aesthetics, and that’s where it truly shines. However, the plot almost feels like an afterthought.
When you take a step back to make sense of it all, the film feels a bit too much. The movie juggles several plot threads, from Astrid and Lydia’s relationship to Delores seeking revenge, but none of them are fully resolved. The narrative feels tangled and messy. They attempted to combine so many different ideas that nothing really adds up the way you want it to. While everything does eventually tie together, it lacks the payoff you’d expect after all the build-up.
Despite the plot issues, the film is genuinely hilarious. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially the musical callbacks to the original film. Many of the jokes, while as characteristically grotesque as the first, will cause the entire theater to laugh.
A Nostalgic Journey Worth Taking
Overall, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a great film, even if it relies more on its aesthetic than its story. It’s full of Tim Burton’s dark humor and the practical effects and crazy characters make it a fun watch. If you loved the original, this new one will certainly make you laugh while also bringing back nostalgia, even if it doesn’t quite deliver on its narrative potential.
