Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (2024) Movie Review
Can you believe it has been 36 years since Tim Burton’s
Beetlejuice first debuted on the silver screen back in 1988. The film has become a beloved classic, that solidified Burton as a household name. Fans have long-awaited a sequel to the film, and the film has become synonymous with the Halloween season, entering the pop culture zeitgeist as a heavy hitter year after year. After the monumental success of Burton’s return to form ‘Wednesday’ and Michael Keaton’s willingness to return as the title character of Beetlejuice, we finally got news the sequel was officially in development and in September 2024, we finally got to see the appropriately titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
The film was met with stunning acclaim, holding an impressive certified fresh 76% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79% audience score. The film also made all of the money, grossing $294 million stateside and over $451 million at the worldwide box office, begging the question, how long until we get Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice? This legacy sequel 36 years in the making sees Winona Ryder return as Lydia Deetz and follows the Deetz family after the tragic passing of her father Charles Deetz, the three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. With a stacked cast, including the likes of Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Danny DeVito, Monica Bellucci and Willem Defoe, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, had a lot of weight on its shoulders, and thankfully it hit those marks, becoming one of the more enjoyable legacy sequels we have received in recent years.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice was a fun, energetic and lively sequel, marking a return to form from veteran, visionary filmmaker, Tim Burton. Burton’s distinct visual style, and sensibilities as a filmmaker are on full display here, with some truly gorgeous, gothic and creepy visuals, blended to keep in tone and continuity of the original film. After a few cinematic flops in recent years, seeing Burton return with ‘Wednesday’ and now Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice has given audiences and fans of Burton alike, that he’s still got it!
The film does a great job of ensuring that it doesn’t re-tread ground from the first film. Sure, the film gives homage to some of the original films more memorable moments, but it never feels like it copies these moments, rather emphasising them and giving the new film its own distinct and original style. The story uses the elements that worked in the original film, whilst adding to these by giving us a fresh look at the underworld, and some fun new rules and lore that the undead must abide by. It’s a lot of fun!
The cast are also magnificent. Michael Keaton has not missed a beat as everyone’s favourite bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice. He is funny, he is lively, and he is clearly having a ball as the character again. A foil of many legacy sequels is the over-emphasis on every minute detail from the previous instalment(s). Here, we are re-introduced to Beetlejuice at his job, sitting at a desk, living the 9 to 5 life. I really liked this choice, usually we have such a reverence for these character introductions, it doesn’t need to be something grand, it can be something mundane, allowing the performances to do the heavy lifting, and here and Michael Keaton does exactly that.
The supporting cast here are all wonderful as well. Winona Ryder gives her best performance in years, returning as Lydia Deetz. She feels like an adult version of her character, which is high praise, after 36 years. Catherine O’Hara’s return as Delia Deetz was also welcomed, giving a fantastic performance as this character. She’s incredibly likeable and I loved seeing her again. Newcomers, Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz was a lot of fun, riding the popularity and momentum from Wednesday and her role in the Scream films. Justin Theroux joins the cast as Rory, Lydia’s partner and the producer of her supernatural, spiritualism show ‘Ghost House’. He was a fantastic addition and works well with the established cast. Willem Defoe also has a lot of fun, as a ‘Wolf Jackson’ a cop actor in the world of the living and now an investigator in the world of the dead. He is clearly having so much fun in this role, having a blast with his performance and chewing the scenery. Danny DeVito also shows up as a Janitor in the world of the dead, and it’s always a lot of fun seeing him in any film. And last, but certainly not least, Monica Bellucci rounds out the amazing cast as Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, on the path of revenge. She is lavishing the opportunity to play this role and clearly loving it!
Overall, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was one of my favourite cinema going experiences of 2024. Burton’s energy is on full display, his style is back, and we welcome it. The cast are wonderful, with Micael Keaton once again stealing the show as Beetlejuice. He is having such a blast in the role, and we love to see it. The supporting cast are great as well, and the film overall setting, style and Halloween aesthetic go a long way for the audience’s overall enjoyment of the film. If you’re a fan of the original, then you’ve already seen it, but if you’re still on the fence, definitely check it out its well worth you time. Be sure to secure your copy on DVD, Blu-Ray or 4K Ultra HD today, you won’t want to miss it!
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Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here
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