Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review – Keaton’s entertaining return

This is a review for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; a fun and kooky sequel directed by Tim Burton.

In the 1988 classic film Beetlejuice; There was the charm and likeability of Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) as they struggled to come to terms with the afterlife, and their home being taken by the Deetz; which results in them seeking the help of the menacing bio-exorcist “Betelgeuse”; portrayed by Michael Keaton.

After 36 years since the first Beetlejuice movie hit the big screen, Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel is finally going to be in cinemas on September 6.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is funny, entertaining and a spooky film to watch! There’s more of an expanded story with Lydia Deetz’ family, and there’s a great balance between the realm of the living and the afterlife, which is exciting to see being explored further.

The sequel is still amazing in keeping with the aesthetics of the first film; from those creative costumes, to the brilliant make-up and prosthetic artists, especially set designers for the afterlife and town being changed back to match the nostalgic look of Beetlejuice (1988).

It’s wonderful that there are still quite a lot of practical effects being used as well and there was certainly some creatively outlandish and graphic scenes using these effects.

Although, it doesn’t have quite the same charm and rhythm of the first film due to the lack of the Maitlands and Lydia Deetz’ (Winona Ryder) relationship, as well as the overall pacing being more erratic than the first.

The writers attempted to create more depth to these characters in the story, and then inevitably glossed over emotional moments, overpowering scenes with comedy, this could have been strengthened more with better comedic timings.

Michael Keaton is once again let-loose in this dark macabre comedy sequel; delivering a wild and incredible performance, capturing just how was in the first film. The character is up to his old tricks terrorizing both the living and the dead, and I never get tired of seeing him on screen.

Keaton has already been on the nostalgia tour with reprising his iconic iteration of Batman in 2023 movie The Flash, and he’s fit right back into this and as Betelgeuse as if he had never left the roles.

There are some interesting elements exploring deeper into Betelgeuse in this second film, which was surprising to see!

Jenna Ortega in this film as Astrid fits perfectly into a Tim Burton role. Ortega has gained this type of horror profile since the Scream movies and Netflix series Wednesday released.

Astrid is standing in the attic once owned by the Maitlands, in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. — JENNA ORTEGA as Astrid in Warner Bros. Pictures’ comedy, “BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Instead of Burton putting her in there as a goth mini-me parodying Lydia Deetz in the first film; Ortega’s character is original and brings new life into the franchise. Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith have written this character really well into the sequel.

Monica Bellucci’s “Delores” was like seeing a character from Henry Selick’s The Nightmare Before Christmas come to life, which was really cool! Delores is very menacing and there was such a great set up, however the payoff for this character seemed to hit a dead-end and fall flat.

Burton did also seem to drag the joke on about the death of a character for far too long… which I thought would have been over in the first 20 minutes, not the entire film!

Justin Theroux’s character was insufferable to watch, more than Otho or Delia was in the first film, although it’s kudos to Justin’s performance and they are clearly purposefully written not to be liked.

Wolf Jackson and Betelgeuse talking in his office in the afterlife, in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. — WILLEM DAFOE as Jackson in Warner Bros. Pictures’ comedy, “BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo credit: Parisa Taghizadeh

Willem Dafoe’s character “Wolf Jackson” is hilarious and Dafoe’s performance was very entertaining, and one of the highlights of the film.

The music-themed scenes in this sequel are dialled up by a lot compared to the first film, it’s really funny and absurd at how this was worked into the plot. Danny Elfman’s soundtracks are also as great as ever!

Final thoughts

This is an exciting sequel which has stayed true to the look of the first film, and it was a blast to see the actors reprise their roles once again after decades.

Parts of the film does seem like a fever dream, especially with that wild final act! As well as there being a few too many things going on which didn’t get enough focus. However, there’s a satisfying conclusion to the storyline overall. I can’t wait to watch this again closer to Halloween!

The first Beetlejuice film is also part of our top 14 comedy horror films of the 1980’s.