‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Movie Review: Michael Keaton Works His ‘Practical’ Magic on Tim Burton’s Occasionally Fun But Overstuffed Sequel (LatestLY Exclusive)

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review: Red flags should be raised if Jenna Ortega gets a love interest in a Tim Burton production. But that aside, let’s return to Winter River and the Afterlife 36 years later, as Tim Burton finally delivers the sequel to his 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (dammit, I’ve written his name three times in one sentence!). Like the first film, Michael Keaton returns as the titular trickster poltergeist and is in scintillating form, as if he never stepped out of that costume or off the original sets over three decades. Also, like the first film, his screen time is relatively brief, and that works very well. Unfortunately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ultimately feels like a letdown. It’s overpacked and, paradoxically, less zany. ‘Beetlejuice 2’: Tim Burton’s Sequel Receives Three-Minute Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival.

Thirty years after the events of the original, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now a medium who hosts a supernatural reality TV show, communicating with ghosts. She’s also in a relationship with her emotionally manipulative and creepy TV producer, Rory (Justin Theroux). Lydia’s teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), isn’t on speaking terms with her following the death of her husband. To make matters worse, Lydia keeps imagining she sees her old tormentor, Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).

Watch the Trailer of 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice':

The freakish death of her father brings Lydia, Astrid, and her stepmother Delia (the ever-brilliant Catherine O'Hara) back to Winter River, much to Betelgeuse's delight. He’s still lurking in the underworld, but this time, he has a bigger demon to exorcise: his ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking ghoul back from the dead (or rather, the undead), seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Astrid falls for Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a boy living in Winter River, and there’s also Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), a former movie star turned afterlife detective, on a mission to stop Delores before she consumes more souls. As for the Maitlands (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis from the first film), they’ve "moved on"—or as a sceptical Astrid quips, "how convenient." I agree with her.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Movie Review - Michael Keaton and The Practical Effects

Let’s start with the positives. First and foremost, Michael Keaton is in fantastic form as the uncouth, mischievous demon—albeit slightly less lecherous than before (did the Times ‘woke’ him up?). Every scene he’s in is a gothic delight, even tricking the audience into enjoying moments like the overfamiliar and chaotic wedding chapel climax, featuring a rendition of Richard Harris’ "MacArthur Park." Or when he serenades a worried Lydia with Richard Marx’s "Right Here Waiting for You" while strumming a guitar. Keaton and his character are a joy to watch.

One of the most squeamish yet fun scenes occurs when Betelgeuse abducts Lydia and Rory for 'couples therapy', leading to guts spilling, an instant baby delivery, and a biting infant Betelgeuse—a moment sure to haunt your nightmares. It will certainly haunt mine.

Another highlight is Tim Burton’s insistence on using practical effects, which works like a ghoulish charm and evokes nostalgia for the original. Whether it’s ‘Bob’ and his shrunken-headed colleagues, the return of the sandworm, or any of the monstrous creatures in the afterlife, the dedication to practical effects and puppetry makes Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stand out amidst today’s CGI-driven soulless visual spectacles.

The film is wickedly humorous when it wants to be. Take the treatment of Jeffrey Jones’ character from the original, for instance: his brutal yet amusing claymation demise feels like a pointed jab at the actor’s scandalous legacy. However, his headless spirit still gets a happy ending in the afterlife. The flashback sequence showing Betelgeuse and Delores' bizarre married life is also dark yet funny, particularly the smooth transition from English to Spanish. And of course, the great Danny Elfman continues to enthral with his magical score.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Movie Review - Overstuffed Plotting The True Soul-Sucker Here

As for the rest of the cast, Winona Ryder might feel typecast as a character tormented by the underworld (thanks to Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stranger Things and Beetlejuice), but she plays her part well. Ryder joked that the sequel was delayed because they were waiting for Jenna Ortega to be born, and it seems she was right. Ortega, the Wednesday star, feels like a natural fit in Winter River. However, her storyline with Jeremy feels like familiar territory for her, especially after Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rory's relationship with Lydia is predictable and shaky—you can see his fate coming a mile away. ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Actor Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom Are Engaged; Latter Flaunts Engagement Ring at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (View Pics).

This brings me to the film’s biggest flaw—the screenplay (by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar) is overly packed, and the various storylines feel lifeless in a film about the lifeless. The weak bond between Lydia and Astrid, centred on a dead husband and father, feels overdone. Delores’ storyline starts with promise but quickly loses steam, becoming little more than an excuse to give Michael Keaton more screen time (which, surprisingly, ends up being a complaint). Willem Dafoe appears to enjoy his role as Wolf Jackson, but his character feels like an unnecessary addition to a film that already has so much going on.

In the end, none of these storylines fully connect, which is a disappointment. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had so much potential—and Michael Keaton delivered in spades. But alas!

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Movie Review - Final Thoughts

There's no denying that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is certainly a nostalgic trip with some fun moments for the fans of the original. There are flashes of brilliance, especially whenever Keaton is on screen, and Burton's commitment to practical effects is a refreshing touch in a sea of CGI-laden films. However, the film is bogged down by too many undercooked subplots and a narrative that struggles to maintain its energy. That said, I am still in if Burton wants to make a third film for this franchise - just want to see what happens when the title makes you read 'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice'. Oh dammit!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2024 01:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).