The fall film season has launched with a bang, thanks to the much-anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The movie hit theaters with a grand opening at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, setting the stage for what is already being hailed as one of the most delightful films of the year. This sequel, directed once again by Tim Burton, feels as if it’s been possessed by the spirit of the 1988 original. And that’s just how it should be. Boeing Starliner Capsule Returns Home from Space — Without Astronauts on Board
Michael Keaton's Return: A Masterclass in Comic Acting
At the heart of this cinematic experience is the incomparable Michael Keaton, who returns to his role as Betelgeuse (yes, pronounced Beetlejuice), the motor-mouthed, rotting corpse, and trickster demon. Keaton's performance is nothing short of spectacular. His Beetlejuice is a chaotic blend of irreverence and charm, delivering lines with a wit that borders on the sublime. If comic acting ever deserved more respect, Keaton’s portrayal here is the perfect argument for why it should.
The Academy may have snubbed him for the original, awarding an Oscar for makeup but not for Keaton's performance, but there’s no denying the impact he had on the character's cult status. Here, Keaton takes everything that worked in 1988 and dials it up to eleven. His Beetlejuice is an all-time great, a masterclass in physical comedy, vocal inflection, and manic energy that has audiences laughing uncontrollably.
Winona Ryder and the Legacy of Lydia Deetz
Also making a triumphant return is Winona Ryder, reprising her role as Lydia Deetz. In the original, Lydia was a gloomy goth teenager with a love for all things morbid. Now, she's an adult, hosting a reality show about haunted houses and how to unhaunt them — a clever twist that adds layers to her character and allows Ryder to bring new depth to Lydia.
Lydia’s relationship with her daughter, Astrid, played brilliantly by Jenna Ortega (fresh off her success in Burton's TV hit, Wednesday), is a central focus of the film. Astrid is skeptical of her mom's eccentricities, but the chemistry between Ryder and Ortega never lets you doubt the bond they share. Their love is genuine and heartfelt, a bright spot in the film that balances its dark humor.
Catherine O'Hara, Monica Bellucci, and a Cast of Characters that Shine
The fantastic Catherine O'Hara returns as Delia, Lydia's wicked stepmother, bringing her trademark quirkiness and impeccable comedic timing to the role. But it's the introduction of new characters that spices things up, most notably Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Delores, played by Monica Bellucci. Delores is a vision, both terrifying and hilarious as she uses a staple gun to reattach her separated body parts, all while the Bee Gees’ "Tragedy" plays in the background.
Their tumultuous romance is recapped in a sequence that is pure Burton genius — a black-and-white, badly dubbed Italian film parody that has audiences rolling in the aisles. The visual gags are relentless, the humor sharp, and the absurdity dialed to the max.
A World Brought to Life Through Visual Mastery
Tim Burton's vision for the Beetlejuice sequel is a visual feast. From the opening frame, it's clear that this film is not just a retread of old material but a revitalization of what made the original so beloved. The technical prowess on display is nothing short of stunning, with Haris Zambarloukos’s camera work capturing every quirky detail, from the eccentric costumes designed by Colleen Atwood to the meticulously crafted sets that feel both familiar and refreshingly new.
Danny Elfman, Burton’s long-time collaborator, returns to provide a score that is both whimsical and haunting. The music here is integral to the film’s mood, blending seamlessly with the action and adding an extra layer of fun to the proceedings. The soundtrack also features several memorable moments, such as the cast lip-syncing to Richard Harris's wonderfully over-the-top rendition of "MacArthur Park," which is sure to become an iconic scene in its own right.
Practical Effects Over Digital Pyrotechnics
One of the most charming aspects of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is its reliance on practical effects over digital wizardry. Burton has always had a knack for making the fantastical feel tangible, and this sequel is no different. The film’s practical effects are a breath of fresh air in a cinema landscape dominated by CGI. Everything feels handmade, tactile, and — most importantly — real. There’s a certain magic in seeing an effect that was crafted with care, rather than generated by a computer.
From Beetlejuice’s grotesque transformations to the bizarre inhabitants of the afterlife, every creature, ghost, and monster is brought to life with a creativity that is distinctly Burton. This commitment to practical effects enhances the film’s overall aesthetic, grounding its more outlandish elements in a reality that, while twisted, is wholly believable within the universe of the film.
Subplots and Side Characters: The Good, The Bad, and The Overstuffed
However, the film is not without its flaws. At times, it feels overstuffed with subplots. Lydia's new, sleazy, pony-tailed boyfriend (played by Justin Theroux) feels like a bit of an unnecessary addition, and Astrid’s budding romance with a fellow Dostoyevsky fan (Arthur Conti) could have been trimmed without much loss. These tangents sometimes distract from the main narrative and slow down the film’s otherwise brisk pace.
But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a rollicking good time. Even when the film meanders, there’s always something visually or comedically engaging to pull you back in. And while some may lament that Keaton only has 17 minutes of screen time, every second he’s on screen is pure gold. His presence looms large over the entire film, even when he’s not physically there, a testament to his skill and charisma as a performer.
A Strong Emotional Core Amidst the Chaos
One of the most surprising elements of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is its emotional depth. The original Beetlejuice was not particularly concerned with emotional resonance — it was a dark comedy that thrived on its irreverence. This sequel, however, adds an unexpected layer of heart. At its core, it's a story about family, love, and the bonds that tie us together, even in the afterlife.
The relationship between Lydia and Astrid serves as the emotional backbone of the film, grounding the fantastical elements in real, relatable human drama. Watching Lydia navigate her complicated feelings about Beetlejuice and her place in the world while trying to connect with her daughter gives the film a surprising weight.
There are also moments of genuine pathos between Beetlejuice and Lydia, as they confront their shared history and their conflicting desires. Keaton brings a surprising vulnerability to the role, showing that beneath the chaos and bravado is a character capable of growth and change.
Highlights and Hilarity: When Comedy Meets Chaos
The humor in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is sharp and plentiful, delivering big laughs through a mix of clever dialogue, slapstick comedy, and visual gags that are as surprising as they are inventive. From Beetlejuice’s reanimation scene to the absurd courtroom drama in the afterlife where Willem Dafoe’s ghost detective runs wild, the film is packed with moments that leave you grinning from ear to ear.
The movie’s best laughs often come from its most unexpected places — like a sequence where Beetlejuice tries his hand at modern social media, only to wreak havoc in ways only he could. The film revels in its anachronisms, finding humor in the clash between its supernatural elements and the mundanity of contemporary life.
The Grand Return of Tim Burton: A Director in His Element
If there’s one thing that can be said about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it’s that it marks a triumphant return for Tim Burton to the kind of filmmaking that made him a household name. While Burton has ventured into various genres and styles over the years, there’s something special about seeing him back in the world of the strange and macabre, a playground where his unique visual style and offbeat humor shine brightest.
Burton’s direction is as assured as ever, balancing the film’s various tones — from comedy to horror to drama — with the deft hand of a master filmmaker. He knows exactly when to go for the joke, when to lean into the grotesque, and when to pull back and let the characters breathe. The result is a film that feels both fresh and nostalgic, a loving homage to its predecessor that also stands firmly on its own.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Beetlejuice
As the credits roll on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, one can’t help but feel that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for these beloved characters. The film leaves plenty of room for future installments, teasing new adventures and unexplored storylines that could easily support another sequel.
The beauty of Beetlejuice as a character — and indeed, as a franchise — is his ability to adapt to different contexts and genres while retaining his essential core of chaos and mischief. With Keaton back in the saddle, and Burton at the helm, there’s no telling where this series could go next. But one thing is certain: as long as Beetlejuice is around, it’s going to be one wild ride.
The Freak Flag Flies High
In the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is exactly what fans of the original could have hoped for: a loving tribute that brings back everything we loved about the 1988 classic while introducing new elements that keep it fresh and exciting. Michael Keaton is at the top of his game, proving once again why his Beetlejuice is an all-time great.
So, as Beetlejuice himself might say, “The Juice is loose.” And thank goodness for that.
