A nostalgic sequel that delivers the ghouly goods while not entirely repeating the same batty beats, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, funny trip down memory lane—even if Tim Burton can’t entirely capture the same maggoty magic.
It would have been very easy for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to be a disaster—it’s a 35-year-late sequel to one of Burton’s earlier films, widely regarded as a uniquely clever classic. And let’s be clear: this new entry isn’t exactly innovative or bar-setting.
But as nostalgic sequels go, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is worth saying his name three times (or at least twice). Fast-paced, silly, and packed with juicy flesh nuggets of creativity, it’s a satisfying jaunt into the world of the unalive.
Michael Keaton, caked in white face paint and grisled edges, looks about the same and brings with him the same repulsive energy you’d expect. He is still lusting after Lydia (Winona Ryder) to be his blushing bride, though she is now in a relationship with her sleezy producer (played by a sleezily delicious Justin Theroux). Jenna Ortega also stars as Lydia’s daughter Astrid, who makes poor decisions very quickly. Ortega, who stars in Burton’s show “Wednesday,” is a natural successor to Ryder, though Ryder can carry a film with her facial expressions alone.
All together, the cast here appears to be have had a lot of fun making this movie–courtesy, I’m sure, of Burton’s ability to craft and portray ridiculous characters (Burton didn’t write the movie–Alfred Gough and Miles Millar get that honor). Catherine O’Hara, of course, steals the show as she reprises her role as the amusingly narcissistic Delia Deetz.
While Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are missed–the original revolved around their characters’ untimely demise–what is nice about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is that storywise it is quite different. It doesn’t feel like a complete retread, even if you’re there primarily to see lots of weird dead people (how Burton handles Jeffrey Jones’ character is especially amusing, given the actor’s off-screen disgraces).
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does feel rushed at times, especially in the final third. While the movie boasts a very funny climax, Burton attempts to wrap too many things up too quickly. Monica Bellucci is presented as the formidable big baddie early on, yet is done away with so quickly and without fanfare in the end I don’t even understand why she was in the movie (other than because she is Burton’s longtime partner).
All in all though, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice offers plenty of maggoty entertainment. Though hardly an improvement over the original, it more than satiates that infected itch.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.