Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a stunning return to form. But make no mistake, this film belongs to Beetlejuice, and Michael Keaton is back to his brilliant best.
After three decades, Beetlejuice returns to cinemas this week for another adventure in the afterlife: BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE. In 1988, Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s collaboration captured lightning in a bottle, providing a rare gem of pop culture brilliance. The result was a film that redefined the genre and raised the bar for macabre comedy horror. For years, fans have been yearning for the duo to reunite for another adventure, and for a time, it seemed that the ship had sailed. But now, fans can look forward to reuniting with the ghost with the most this Friday.
As a long-time fan of the franchise, I had high hopes for the movie. But after almost four decades, can the ghost with the most still bring the same magic? Or have things changed, and people no longer find the hilarious antics of this talented team entertaining?
REVIEW
Fear not, Beetlejuice fans, because Tim Burton has done it again. Although the film misfires occasionally, Burton and Michael Keaton’s collaboration has delivered comedy gold. Willem Dafoe and Jenna Ortega contribute excellently to the ensemble, while the original characters thoroughly embrace their expanded roles. Michael Keaton is back to his brilliant best and thrives in his newly expanded role. The atmosphere so famously established in the first film is restored in glorious detail, and the stop-motion special effects are used to brilliant effect.
However, the film’s multiple muddled narratives hinder the plot from reaching its true potential. Additionally, despite Danny Elfman’s initially outstanding opening title, his score is overshadowed by well-placed needle drops. Numerous essential elements from the original are noticeably absent, and several characters are omitted entirely or only briefly referenced. Consequently, the long-awaited sequel delivers several captivating moments but is markedly lacking the heart of the first film.
OVERLAPPING NARRATIVES
The primary challenge of the film lies in managing the multiple interwoven narratives and subplots within its concise one-hour and forty-four-minute duration. Despite being more intricate than its predecessor, the sequel densely incorporates numerous plot twists and developments for the characters. Nevertheless, the frequent shifts between storylines are disorienting and often obstruct the flow of the narrative. There is no bigger epitome of this point than Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Delores, played by Monica Bellucci.
For her part, Bellucci delivers an enigmatic performance that deserves far more screen time than she is rewarded with here. Cast as the jilted lover, Delores spends the film hunting Beetlejuice down to exact her revenge. Bellucci’s involvement, though consistent, is regrettably brief, leading to a disappointing resolution. Furthermore, Delores’ motivations lack depth, relegating her to a seemingly token villain role throughout the film.
REDUNDANT RORY
Justin Theroux’s participation in the film also raises some questions. Cast as Winona Ryder’s love interest, Theroux delivers a solid performance as Rory. The character is played for laughs and provides many of the film’s better moments, but over time, he is awarded far more screen time than the character warrants and takes vital screen time away from the characters that need to be fleshed out. The same can be said about Jenna Ortega’s Astrid Deetz. Although Ortega again delivers a glowing performance as Lydia’s estranged daughter, the character quickly dilutes into the stereotypical teenage role and fails to emerge from its shackles.
Her narrative encompasses all of the stereotypical elements. From resentment toward parental figures to the discovery of first love, Ortega is portrayed as an alienated adolescent harboring disdain for her life. Even when the story develops and adds layers to her character, it never feels enough. For her part, Otega excels in the role and adds terrific energy to the ensemble, but she is only as good as the material allows, and sadly, it all feels a little too shallow for me.
WONDERFUL WILLEM
Willem Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson is the only new addition to the cast that doesn’t feel hindered by limited screen time or poorly written narratives. The afterlife’s resident ghost detective and former actor is a brilliant addition to the roster and would be the perfect character to build a new facet of the franchise around. The character never wears out his welcome and offers many wonderfully comedic moments that hit the mark. Willem Dafoe genuinely revels in his portrayal, exuding infectious energy and projecting his enjoyment of the role onto the audience through the screen.
I wouldn’t be disappointed if the studio expanded the franchise with a film or series following Wolf Jackson’s exploits. His character is that enjoyable, and the film is enriched by his presence whenever he is on the screen. During my screening, the audience greeted his arrival with an excited murmur as we waited to see what he did next. He’s the kind of character everyone will fall in love with. This ensures that Wolf Jackson is, for me, the best new character in the bunch.
RETURNING CAST
The film’s true strength lies in its returning cast. Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton return to reprise their roles from the original movie, and their involvement is exceptional. From the beginning, Ryder’s Lydia Deetz is depicted in more detail than ever before, brilliantly delving into what she’s been up to since we last saw her. Ryder imbues Lydia with a new energy that serves as the film’s backbone. Lydia struggles with her ability to see the dead, and although she has used it to forge a prosperous career, it comes at a significant cost.
The complexity of her gift has caused a rift between her and her daughter, and exploring their relationship leads to many poignant moments. Lydia’s relationship with her stepmother, O’Hara’s Delia Deetz, is also a joy to watch unfold. Their tepid relationship from the first movie has been replaced by a loving relationship filled with trust and mutual respect. Seeing the natural progression of their relationship is one of the film’s standouts. But that doesn’t stop Tim Burton from allowing them the occasional round of banter.
A RYDER AND O’HARA MASTERCLASS
Ryder and O’Hara are perfect in their roles and seem genuinely rejuvenated by playing them again. After almost four decades, some actors would find it impossible to find the essence of their characters again. But Ryder and O’Hara seem to pick up from where they left off and slip into gear. The new dynamics of their relationship feel genuine, and their rapport is better than ever, leading to some wonderfully written moments.
It is truly remarkable to see Catherine O’Hara again at the forefront of her craft. She was a staple of my childhood. Seeing her back with such energy is a treat, and she is clearly enjoying her resurgence. Here, she brings a freshness to Delia that feels fresh and nostalgic. The character’s traditional mannerisms are there for all to see. Coupled with her newfound paternal bond with Lydia, the character feels more rounded than ever. Like Lydia, her journey in this sequel is more complex than I first thought, but it’s one of the film’s strengths.
THE GHOST WITH THE MOST
But make no mistake, this film belongs to Beetlejuice, and Michael Keaton is back to his brilliant best. Although his story arc has skewed since we last saw him, Beetlejuice is as hilarious as ever. Whereas the first film cast him as the renegade ghost of mischief, the sequel finds him in a more professional setting. The original hierarchy of the afterlife has changed, and the ghost with the most now offers his services through his legitimate business model. It’s initially jarring to see Beetlejuice so tame, but the new dynamic with his undead workforce quickly wins the audience over.
People say anyone can be Batman, but it is abundantly clear that only Michael Keaton can play Beetlejuice. Keaton slips back into the role with zeal, instantly bringing the best out of his character. His long-awaited return as Batman in The Flash was epic, and his return in this sequel is equally noteworthy. Tim Burton could have easily produced more of the same and played it safe, but the director knows his stuff and lets the juice loose. The result is a career-best performance from Keaton that is on par with his previous performances. Even after almost four decades, it’s clear that his passion for the character hasn’t faded, and you can sense his excitement every time he’s on the screen.
BRILLIANT KEATON
Keaton enjoys pushing the boundaries of the character in this sequel and embraces the more surprising moments we see throughout. There are moments of pure hilarity here that audiences will never see coming because they are so out of character, but they genuinely work here. The characters’ usual mannerisms aren’t dampened in favor of the new traits. Keaton cleverly envelops them into his original performance to present us with the same outrageous character with new strings to his bow.
The evolution flows effortlessly, and the character bursts with energy—so much that the character can carry on forever. I would love to see the saga expand and move beyond its tether to the Deetz family, allowing him to torment another string of unsuspecting victims. But perhaps that is asking too much. After almost four decades, hoping for a franchise expansion with Burton and Keaton attached is possibly a fan-cast too far. But one can hope.
THE ATMOSPHERE
After almost forty years, I wondered how our modern world’s aesthetics would fit the Beetlejuice universe’s almost timeless atmosphere. But I’m pleased to report that the progression feels genuine. The scenes in Manhattan are vibrant and modern until the film pivots to the original house from the first film. Once we enter the familiar setting, the film reverts to type and feels timeless. Being set at Halloween, the town made famous in the first film takes on a new dynamic and feels eerily reminiscent of the Hocus Pocus movies. The spooky setting only helps to heighten the horror atmosphere and adds something fresh to the mix.
Once we’re in the afterlife, it’s like returning to 1988. The whole vibe, the people, the waiting rooms, and even the scary injuries feel like something you’d see in a Tim Burton movie from back in the day. The intentional old-school feel works in the film’s favor, giving it the same vibe as the original and keeping everything consistent.
THE SCORE
As mentioned, Danny Elfman’s soundtrack disappointingly fades into the background after a typically brilliant opening title. In the first film, his score served as the film’s soul. But his music is far more subdued in the sequel. In truth, you can be forgiven for thinking that the legendary composer had only composed the main title. So much so that it never feels like a player in the story. Overall, that is my biggest disappointment in the film.
Like the first film, several well-placed needle drops heighten the film. Many are played for laughs and lighten the tone when the story leans into the macabre aspects of the narrative with brilliant results. A lot of the old tunes get a modern twist, and some of the characters have some unexpected musical scenes that will make everyone smile from ear to ear. However, these enjoyable moments cannot gloss over the fact that Danny Elfman’s score is banished to the background, which is criminal.
VERDICT
Overall, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is a stunning return to form for Tim Burton. Sure, not all the elements come together and take some of the lustre away from the finished film. But they do not dampen what is otherwise a solid sequel for the ghost with the most. Any new adventure in this sandbox was always going to be welcome. But Burton has captured the atmosphere of the original film to deliver a worthy follow-up. Although the newcomers to the franchise struggle to win the audience over, they offer a fresh energy that is welcome at times. But sadly, they never truly impact the film itself and fail to emerge from the shadow of the OG cast.
The film’s recipe for success hinges on the performances of its legacy cast, and they all have a blast with their second spell in the limelight. Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton reprise their roles with unrivaled energy and make the film the triumph it will become. Newcomers to the franchise will be mesmerized by the jaw-dropping hijinks these characters have to offer, and legacy fans will be awarded more of what made the original so brilliant.
IN CONCLUSION
Whether the film can match the original remains to be seen. I’d add it to the good but not great sequels that Hollywood churns out these days. But there is more than enough quality here to delight audiences everywhere. So, grab some popcorn, strengthen your gag reflex, and settle in for a night of pure brilliance with the ghost with the most. The film may not be the spectacular sequel we were hoping for. But the reunion of Ryder, O’Hara, Keaton, and O’Hara has delivered nuggets of gold to die for.
It’s showtime!
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice brings the chaos of the Afterlife into cinemas on September 6th
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
