As a longtime fan of director Tim Burton, I was eager to hear about the recent “Beetlejuice” movie. The original film, with its iconic blend of dark humor and captivating storytelling, captured my attention due to its unique storyline. I am happy to say that the sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” does not disappoint.
The film opens by reintroducing its characters, now years older than their appearances in the original movie. Played by actor Winona Ryder, Lydia Deetz, now in her late 30s, hosts her own television show where she explores the “strange and unusual.” This opening is fitting because the original Lydia character always expressed her uniqueness and fascination with the bizarre. This sets the tone for the film and invites audiences back into a world where the strangeness is celebrated.
As the story unfolds, we meet Lydia’s daughter, Astrid Deetz (Jenna Ortega). Right off the bat, it’s clear their relationship is strained; Astrid does not believe in the paranormal, and following the loss of her father, she and Lydia have grown distant. This adds emotional depth to the plot, highlighting their struggles with grief and its impact on their bond.
While the characters’ differences create conflict that drives the plot, I wish that Burton had made the mother and daughter more similar, perhaps by incorporating shared interests or talents. Establishing common ground could have enhanced their connection, making me feel more invested in their characters than I did.
Still, I was impressed with how well Burton brought the character of Beetlejuice (played once again by Michael Keaton) back to the big screen after more than 30 years. Beetlejuice finds himself working at the Afterlife’s call center while hiding from his ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who is after his soul. Their relationship adds a new layer to the storyline, although I found myself wishing for more information on Delores’s background. What has motivated her to pursue Beetlejuice so relentlessly? Understanding their backstory could have provided deeper insights into their relationship and enhanced the film overall.
The conflict intensifies when Astrid encounters the ghost of Jeremy Frazier (Arthur Conti). Initially, he deceives her into believing he genuinely likes her and can offer her a chance to see her father again. However, his true intentions are sinister; he wants to switch bodies with her to reclaim his humanity. This twist sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads Astrid back to her mother, Lydia, who has made her own unholy deal with Beetlejuice.
I enjoyed this part of the film because it not only strengthens the bond between Astrid and Lydia, but also incorporates Beetlejuice into the narrative in a way that is both humorous and crucial to the resolution.
The film concludes with a climatic wedding scene featuring Astrid and Beetlejuice, creating a throwback to the original movie. Just as Beetlejuice is about to finalize the union, an unexpected event causes a perfectly-timed distraction that leads to what we’ve all been waiting for: someone saying Beetlejuice’s name twice which in turn, sets of equally unexpected (or not so much) events in motion and allows the characters’ storylines to intertwine in a way I found satisfying.
I’m pleased to say this movie does not disappoint, leading me to rate it an overall 8/10 stars. Sure, I had hoped for a final twist or clever line to keep the audience pondering the journey long after the credits rolled. But even with a few small bumps along the way, the movie is a fun and exciting trip back into Burton’s unique world that fans will definitely appreciate.
