Remember when “Beetlejuice” first hit the scene in 1988? It was the kind of movie that was a delightful blend of comedy, horror, and sheer absurdity—a twisted carnival ride straight out of Tim Burton’s delightfully weird mind. Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice was the ultimate wild card, a ghostly trickster who could have you in stitches one minute and squirming the next. It was a vibe, a vibe that took ghost stories and gave them a punk rock edge.
Fast forward 36 years, and here we are again with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Burton’s long-awaited sequel that begs the question: Can you really catch lightning in a bottle twice? The answer is… kind of. This time around, Burton seems to be assembling the pieces of his gothic puzzle with a bit more care, like a veteran conjurer dusting off his old tricks. And yet, while the sequel might lack the unhinged madness of the original, it’s still a good-natured romp that leans heavily into fan service.
One of the highlights is Monica Bellucci’s Delores, a ghostly ex-wife with a knack for DIY body repair. Watching her literally pull herself together—her limbs stapled back in place to the tune of the Bee Gees’ “Tragedy”—is both gruesome and gleefully offbeat, exactly the kind of dark whimsy we expect from Burton. And while her soul-sucking antics add a touch of horror, it’s the absurdity of the situation that really hits home.
The film stumbles a bit in the beginning, with a setup that feels more like a game of Beetlejuice Bingo. But as the pieces fall into place, the movie finds its groove, transforming into a lightweight riff on the original that doesn’t quite pack the same punch but still manages to deliver plenty of nostalgic thrills. Keaton, back in his iconic role, brings that same scuzzy charm, even at 73, proving that Beetlejuice’s energy hasn’t dimmed with age.
The heart of the film lies in Winona Ryder’s Lydia, now a world-weary psychic with her own ghost-hunting show. Her disillusionment with the paranormal, paired with her strained relationship with her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), adds a layer of emotional depth that gives the film some much-needed grounding. Catherine O’Hara returns as the wonderfully over-the-top Delia, reminding us why she was one of the standout characters from the original.
However, it’s in the more bizarre moments that the sequel truly shines. Beetlejuice’s stint as a “couple’s therapist” is a riot, especially when he “spills his guts” in the most literal sense. The movie doesn’t shy away from its playful macabre roots, even when it risks being a little cringe-worthy—like the soul train sequence (yes, it’s exactly what you’re picturing, and no, it doesn’t make much sense, but that’s part of the charm).
As the film barrels toward its climax, Burton pulls out all the stops, including a wedding sequence set to Richard Harris’s “MacArthur Park,” which is as wonderfully bonkers as it sounds. It’s a reminder that while “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” might not be the electrifying jolt the original was, it’s still a satisfying sip of that sweet, strange Burton juice.
So, is “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” a worthy successor? It may not be the haunted funhouse you remember, but it’s a delightful walk down memory lane, with just enough ghostly charm to keep you entertained. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or the new tricks, there’s enough weirdness to go around. Just be ready to say the name—twice.
Check out “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in theaters nation-wide September 6, 2024
MPA rating: PG-13. Running time: 104 MIN
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Nick Kellington, Santiago Cabrera, Burn Gorman, Danny DeVito.
Production: A Warner Bros. Pictures release, in association with Domain Entertainment, of a Tim Burton, Tommy Harper, Plan B Entertainment, Marc Toberoff production.
Producers: Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, Tim Burton. Executive producers: Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, Brad Pitt.
Crew:
Director: Tim Burton
Screenplay: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Camera: Haris Zambarloukos
Editor: Jay Prychidny
Music: Danny Elfman
