Coming 36 years after the original “Beetlejuice,” “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a wildly entertaining film that feels right at home with the first in tone, style and wacky shenanigans. Once again directed by Tim Burton, the long-awaited sequel brings together stars from the original like Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder and newcomers to the franchise Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe for a movie that never fails to be delightfully over the top.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” doesn’t attempt to mind the audience’s nostalgia for cheap thrills or moments where the audience gets to point at the screen in memory. While there are references to the original, the film is more concerned with telling its own story within the universe, rather than just be a soulless cash grab. At no point did the sequel feel bogged down in reminding the audience of the first film and trying its hardest to be just like it. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a worthwhile, fun next chapter in the story that if you haven’t already, you should go out and see.
Back of the DVD Summary: We find Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) nearly four decades after her original encounter with the demon Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton), now with her own paranormal TV show. Unfortunately, Lydia is beset by visions of Betelgeuse as she goes about her daily life, thinking another encounter with the demon might be on the horizon. Days after Lydia’s father’s untimely passing, she’s called back to the house from “Beetlejuice” for an ostentatious, overdramatic funeral. Upon arrival, her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), meets a new boy who might not be exactly what he seems –- from there Betelgeuse conspires to once again try to marry Lydia. Betelgeuse and the rest of the forces of the afterlife start to mess with the Deetz family.
By far and away the two standouts of this film are Willem Dafoe and Michael Keaton. Keaton’s debauchery as Betelgeuse is every bit as guttural and perverted as it was in the 80s, if not a little more. Keaton’s full body performance doesn’t skip a beat and he entertained whenever he was on screen. Thankfully, he was more involved in this film than the previous one. Dafoe’s character also steals each scene he is in as does his assistant. He is only matched by his assistant and their running joke which I won’t spoil here. I would’ve liked to see Dafoe and Keaton interact more, but still glad I got to see both flexing their comedic muscles.
The aesthetics of the film don’t feel updated or modernized in a good way. The afterlife and its residents feel bizarre still. The special effects too feel like they’d be right at home in the 80s, but at no point did it take me out of the film, or did the effects look bad. These intentional design choices made this movie share a common DNA beyond just the characters. Tim Burton’s strong direction also helped the aesthetics feel compatible and appropriate.
Both the score and the soundtrack were electrifying, made all the more fun by the bewildering situations the characters find themselves in. Especially the third act where all the various storylines all converge in a creative, hilarious moment. The story of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is not a very complex one and feels more like a narrative and like a collection of events –- which can be frustrating if you’re looking for something a bit more substantive. If you go in looking for an entertaining time with lots of laughs and mischief, then you will not be disappointed with this offering. Not my favorite film of the year, but certainly a great deal of fun.
