In a time where reboots and sequels to popular films released in the past have become the norm for a majority of big budgeted blockbuster films, it can be exhausting to see companies or directors resurrect their old intellectual properties just to dish out a sub-par product and make some cash while they’re at it. That was the initial reaction that I had when I discovered that Tim Burton was working on a sequel to one of his most iconic films, “Beetlejuice.”
Picking up over three decades after the last film left off we reunite with Lydia Deetz, with Winona Ryder reprising her role, who is currently struggling with the past trauma she endured through her first encounter with the poltergeist Betelgeuse, played again by Michael Keaton. On top of that she’s also dealing with the scrutiny from being a paranormal talk-show host, her waning relationship with her daughter Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, and the recent death of her father.
That’s only scratching the surface of what occurs throughout the film’s runtime. There are a lot of elements on display here and some aren’t given enough attention due to the film’s fast paced nature and breezy runtime of 100 minutes. Without spoiling anything, some plot points that are built up over the course of the film are resolved rather unceremoniously by the finale, and others that I felt the film made out to be significantly important weren’t given enough time to develop.
There is also the problem of there being parts that feel too reminiscent of the first “Beetlejuice” film. While it is expected that there would be some elements that would carry over there are scenes that are lifted out of the original.
However, with that being said like the original this film oozes with style. Due to its significantly larger budget and improvements in effects technology the film and world it presents look better than ever before. There is a wonderful mix of practical and computer-generated effects, and one doesn’t significantly outweigh the other in any regards. There are also elements that carry over from Tim Burton’s other films, like there being a stop-motion animated sequence akin to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” or “The Corpse Bride,” and a monochrome sequence reminiscent of “Ed Wood” or “Frankenweenie.”
Something else that surprised me was how funny the film turned out to be, with many of the film’s dark and offbeat jokes landing very well. This is also due to the performances here being particularly strong, with character’s like Keaton’s Betelgeuse, and Catherine O’Hara returning as Lydia’s stepmother Delia. Both still bring as much if not, in O’Hara’s case, even more chaotic energy than in the original and got some good laughs out of me. The dramatic elements also balance out greatly as well, as they aren’t undercut by any jokes commenting about how awkward or cliche a certain moment or character interaction is. Ryder also builds upon Lydia’s character in a good way, giving her more insecurities and issues than before and having her trauma feel believable.
Another aspect that I particularly like is how this film seems to be very reflective of Tim Burton’s career up to this point. Burton has recently come under scrutiny by critics and film fans online for the lack of quality and style in his most recent films, and being labeled as a “sell out” or “poser” like Lydia in the story. This in turn leads the both of them having to once again confront Beetlejuice, and as a result overcoming their other issues as well.
Despite not being as strong as the original film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is far from being called another one of Tim Burton’s failures. It’s creative, chaotic fun that people can enjoy around spooky-season. Overall I’d give this film 8 Sandworms out of 10. Check out the film for yourself and see what you think!
/10