The original Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton in 1988, became a cultural phenomenon with its eccentric mix of dark comedy an supernatural mischief. Michael Keaton's outrageous performance as the titular bio-exorcist cemented the film's place in pop-culture. Now, decades later, the sequel seeks to captured that same magic for a new generation by bringing back iconic actors like Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder as Lydia, reprising their original roles in the latest release. New additions include Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, adding fresh energy to the quirky, supernatural world.
We’re drawn back into the Afterlife, where Beetlejuice becomes entangled in a bizarre love triangle with the iconic and stunning Delores Guese (Monica Bellucci). Which, true to form, Tim Burton once again includes his current partner (Want the tea? Click here.).
Showcasing her beauty in one of the coolest scenes I’ve seen this year.
“Live people ignore the strange and unusual. I myself, am strange and unusual.” — Lydia Deetz (Beetlejuice 1988)
I was surprised to see new villains introduced alongside Beetlejuice, almost making him seem more sympathetic by comparison. Their presence adds a fresh dynamic to the story, while still keeping Beetlejuice’s mischievous charm at the center of it all. But were they necessary?
Fan Service?
Short answer: No. Why? The story behind the new villains, like Delores, doesn’t really add much to Beetlejuice’s main storyline. The parade of new characters, plus their background story and the unexpected ending gave me the feel that something is missing at the end of the movie. Also, some of scenes tried too hard to explain the story by exposition instead of being included in the story (like Beetlejuice's death and Lydia's state of mind), when what I’ve always loved about Tim Burton's work is that nothing needed to make sense. That chaotic, unpredictable charm is what makes him so unique, and adding too much backstory takes away from that mystery.
Closing Thoughts
Finally, and to cheer up the mood, I didn’t totally hate Beetlejuice 2. In fact, I admire how well the special effects were done—something rare in movies these days. The mix of stop motion, CGI, and the play with different lighting is visually gorgeous. I found myself laughing a lot, and seeing it in 4DX was one of the best decisions I made. It’s a fun movie, but like most sequels, it doesn’t quite measure up to the original. Except for Shrek 2.
Fun Fact: Barbara and Adam Maitland, portrayed by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, were not recast to maintain consistency with the storyline, as their characters, being spirits, do not age. (More information click here)
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