As a long time fan Tim Burtonof BeetlejuiceI am both excited and curious Beetlejuice Beetlejuicethe long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The original film was the perfect blend of dark comedy, supernatural antics, and Burton’s unmistakable quirkiness, so naturally, I wanted to see what new stories Burton had in store for these characters.
However, while there were some fun moments and a lot of nostalgia in this sequel, I have to admit that I left the theater feeling a little disappointed.
First, let me get this out of the way…the best part Beetlejuice Beetlejuice no doubt see Michael Keaton Returns as the iconic and mischievous Beetlejuice. It feels like no time has passed.
Once again he fully embraces the role, bringing the same chaotic energy and humor that made him such a great character as the first film. Keaton’s performance is seamless; he doesn’t miss a beat, and his scenes are undoubtedly the highlights of the film.
But unfortunately, as good as Keaton was, the rest of the movie didn’t live up to my expectations. There was so much going on in the story itself that it felt overly complicated. There are two main storylines competing for attention, and as a result, the film feels unfocused and a bit scattered.
I won’t spoil anything, but one story focuses on Lydia’s daughter Astrid and her journey to the afterlife, and the other focuses on Beetlejuice wanting to marry Lydia because his X wife is Hunt him down. Both stories are interesting, but neither has time to breathe and develop properly.
The film introduces a host of new characters, many of whom have the potential to be truly engaging. Jenna Ortega Playing Astrid brought some fresh energy to the cast; Willem Dafoe Being a B-movie action star turned cop in the afterlife is about as wacky and fun as you can imagine.
Bringing a touch of nostalgia, the returning cast, including Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, join Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucciand Arthur Conti. However, with so many new faces and side stories, there isn’t enough time to give these characters the depth and development they deserve.
Honestly, these two stories could have been split into two separate movies. I think Burton would be better off choosing just one storyline to focus on and saving the other for a future installment. This way the movie can really delve into characters and concepts without feeling so scattered.
That said, I did like some of the core story concepts. The idea that three generations of the Dietz family return to the Winter River to kick off the story after a family tragedy, only for Astrid to find herself trapped in the afterlife, is compelling.
I also loved the story of Beetlejuice and his wife, and I’d love to learn more about this story and get to know the character better. She’s very funny, but she could have been a wild and powerful scene-stealing character, but she doesn’t have the time to make that happen.
The movie also incorporates some comedy elements which are really weird at times and I must say, I enjoyed those moments.
I just wish the movie had spent more time letting this premise unfold naturally instead of rushing in so many different directions. There’s real potential there, but it’s buried under the weight of trying to fit into the film’s story.
Of course, Danny Elfman’s score provides the perfect weird, whimsical backdrop to the on-screen madness. But even with all the talent involved, the film can’t quite recapture the magic of the original.
Burton simply tries to deliver everything at once, which ultimately dilutes the impact of individual elements.
in the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice It had its moments, but it just didn’t maintain the brilliance of the original. It’s fun to see Keaton back in the role, and there are some interesting ideas buried in it, but overall the film would have benefited from a more streamlined approach and more focus on developing its characters and story.
Hopefully if we get another sequel, Burton will take the time to make the story more dynamic.
