Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review: Tim Burton’s Return to the Afterlife Is a Hysterical and Heartfelt Return to Form

Like a movie at any time Beetle juice Beetle juice When a sequel is announced, fans of the original are often the first to ask a question familiar to anyone who has worked on a legacyquel: “Why?” Tim Burton‘s horror-comedy blockbuster has been met with great interest, with the many false starts of this return to the afterlife only adding to the anticipation. Now that the hour has finally come, I’m happy to say to those of you who have never died, Beetle juice The sequel won’t disappoint, as Burton and his team’s love and respect for the 1988 original shines through in every inch of this story. It’s a great example of understanding why that movie worked and how to bring it back for a new generation to watch.

Beetle Juice Beetle Juice (2024)

(Image source: Warner Bros.)

Publication date: September 6, 2024
Governing: Tim Burton
Written by: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe
Evaluation: Rated PG-13 for violent, gory and bloody images, strong language, some provocative material and brief drug use
Runtime: 105 minutes
MORE: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Release Date, Trailer, Cast and Everything Else We Know

There’s a refreshing lack of overthinking when it comes to how to do it Beetle juice Beetle juice takes the torch. Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) hosts her own TV show focused on ghost hunting. An entrepreneurial boyfriend/producer (Justin Theroux) encourages him and they have a daughter named Astrid (Jenna Ortega) thinks he is a fraud… and with the death of a family member, the worst time in the world comes, we enter a period when our strange and extraordinary hero returns home.

Using the death of Charles Deetz (originally played by Jeffrey Jones) as a catalyst Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s new twist with the undead, the film delivers a double dose of mother/daughter dysfunction that works quite well together. Lydia and Astrid get into an argument over whether Lydia’s ability to see the dead is a real thing, while Lydia and her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara) clash in their grief. And before things get too comfortable, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) comes to her mind, because the return of the man who was almost her husband has caused some confusion in the afterlife.

Tim Burton has officially made another Beetlejuice movie, and that’s a huge compliment.

Beetle juice Beetle juice It’s not a legacyquel overloaded with new backstory or lore to “surpass” the original movie. Instead, Tim Burton’s new adventure in death is another point in time that offers the kind of mayhem you’d expect in this universe. That’s not a complaint, either, because it’s trying to match the anarchic energy of the first movie. Beetle juice It was risky. Seeing Michael Keaton so happy to let loose once again is perhaps the biggest sign that this whole venture was a good idea done right.

There are no major reinventions used as a gap for continuity. Beetle juice Beetle juice operates on similar principles to those laid out before, with only a few new wrinkles in the guidelines regarding the relationships between the living and the dead that fit into the narrative. Burton’s groundbreaking return to horror-comedy Wednesday The work of co-writers/collaborators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar provides a welcome rehash of familiar characters and situations, while offering a freshness to savor in the process.

The carnival-like atmosphere and musical laughter of the other world from the first film are doubled, Beetle juice Beetle juice a long-awaited sequel that cleverly avoids feeling like a repetition while also playing some of the hits. Yes, “Day-O” is hailed as a clever easter egg, but it’s also an effective laugh in how it’s used. As for the new musical moments that do emerge, the numbers are executed at full throttle, with new deep cuts that may unexpectedly reach the viewer’s heart.

Although the entire cast of Beetlejuice is in great form, one actor nearly steals the entire movie.

Featuring a stellar cast including Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder returning to pit their wits against valuable new talent like Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoeand Justin Theroux has no shortage of fun Beetle juice Beetle juice. And a big part of the magic comes from Ryder and Ortega’s chemistry as a mother/daughter duo. Although Wednesday starring Tim Burton may sound like an obvious idea, but it’s nice to see Ortega temporarily break away from the “creepy” energy that his loyal fans know him for.

Astrid Deetz is a good example of the double-edged sword presented with newly added names. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s The cast. Giving Lydia a daughter works as a chance to move the story forward, while also organically reminding us of where Winona Ryder’s character was in life at a similar age. It’s a logical complication, as Astrid’s skeptical nature is internally challenged by her mother’s past, which makes us curious to consider how she’ll deal with Beetlejuice’s presence when he shows up.

Unfortunately, not all of the new characters present are given enough space to really contribute to the bigger picture. This is certainly not the fault of the actors, as the film’s dense plot Beetle juice Beetle juice adds a slew of potential enemies and oddballs. Both Justin Theroux’s Rory and Monica Bellucci’s Delores represent the same sorts of obstacles to Beetlejuice’s (Michael Keaton) plans. The advantage Rory has is that even if she’s not the main driver of the ensuing chaos, she can still add comic touches here and there.

The same can’t be said for Delores, sadly, but her inclusion as a looming threat isn’t a complete waste. On the contrary, Monica Bellucci’s presence isn’t enough to lend herself to the role of a well-known femme fatale in the afterlife. The inclusion of Beetlejuice’s ex is a novel idea, but its execution falls short when compared to his living counterpart in Rory.

At the same time, the stacked deck Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s The casting seems to have changed the game for two actors in particular. Michael Keaton comes across cheerfully against fresh and familiar characters with his trademark enthusiasm, and the desire to keep his screen time close to his performance in the first film was a smart move.

But it’s Catherine O’Hara’s Delia Deetz who really steals the movie from everyone. Already an icon to the world’s avant-garde artists, O’Hara’s stable on the show could garner an even larger fan base thanks to her unique grieving process and how it affects her family.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice knows the magic words to say when creating a heartfelt horror-comedy.

Beetle juice Beetle juice It works as the next chapter in the mythology because it doesn’t try to “create a universe” but instead acts as a worthy successor. That can be said even with the inclusion of a few stray characters who don’t quite live up to the original. Beetle juice did the same thing, and people still loved what it was trying to do. If you’re thinking this long-awaited sequel will make this world more meaningful on a story level, you’re going to be disappointed.

I encourage viewers to take on the adventure Beetle juice Beetle juice when audiences experienced its predecessor in 1988. Back when the brand name meant nothing and people didn’t know what to expect, this supernatural spin-off show gained love as a living manifestation of chaos barely held together by plot. The fact that Tim Burton and his team have pulled this off again after nearly four decades of waiting feels like victory enough for those eagerly awaiting more of the same.

Leaving aside the trend of simply rehashing a storied IP without a good enough reason to continue, Beetle juice Beetle juice exists purely out of love. Seeing Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara having so much fun reviving their characters is proof that things are in good hands. But bringing Burton’s reincarnation into the storytelling with live-action, stop-motion, and practical effects is where the real reward lies.

People wanted “another one” Beetle juice” and that’s exactly what it turns out to be. You can easily watch these movies back to back and leave the room with a smile on your face. No matter when you start celebrating Halloween on the calendar, Beetle juice Beetle juice It feels like the cinematic start the season deserved. And as always, anyone with even a passing fascination with the strange and unusual is welcome to the show.