When I first watched Tim Burton’s 1988 Beetlejuice, I had never really seen anything like it. It was so odd, strange, eerie, unsettling, funny, creepy, unnerving, heartfelt, and hilarious. I had never seen a character on screen quite like Michael Keaton’s Betelgeuse, and that performance has really stood the test of time. I’ve rewatched the film countless times, and it’s one of my favourite movies ever made.
Tim Burton’s return to the Beetlejuice universe was something that worried me when I first heard about it. There had been talks for years suggesting that Tim and Michael might want to go back to that world together. However, Burton had claimed they could never get the “story” right.
A Return to the Beetlejuice Universe
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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That said, back when he was directing episodes of Netflix’s latest hit series, Wednesday, with Jenna Ortega and writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, it seemed as though the legendary filmmaker had finally found his source of inspiration for a Beetlejuice sequel.
Cut to 2024, and we’ve now got Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in cinemas (best viewed on an IMAX screen if possible. I was lucky enough to get to watch the movie at the BFI IMAX in London, and I don’t think the film could have looked any better). This is the direct sequel to the 1988 original movie. Some characters are back, and others aren’t. Some new characters are introduced, and overall, it’s very much a Beetlejuice movie. However, I would argue that Tim Burton and co. still didn’t manage to crack the film’s plot.
A Convoluted Plot and Missed Opportunities
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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So, what happens in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice? The movie takes place 34 years after the original. Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder) is now the host of a ghost-hunting show. She’s incredibly successful, but her life’s a bit of a mess. She’s plagued by visions of Betelgeuse, and her relationship with her daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega), is incredibly strained.
Through a series of convoluted events, Astrid ends up in the Afterlife, and Lydia must ask Betelgeuse for help to bring her back. That’s the movie’s story in a nutshell. There’s a lot more that happens, of course, but I didn’t want to spoil too much. What I will say is that the plot is incredibly convoluted, with some characters forgotten or reduced to mere plot devices.
Monica Bellucci’s Delores, for example, is Betelgeuse’s ex-wife and is back for revenge. When I first saw the trailer and heard Bellucci was cast, I expected her to be the film’s main antagonist. Unfortunately, she’s underused, and the film doesn’t know what to do with her character. It’s a missed opportunity, especially considering Bellucci’s talent.
Nostalgia and Comedy Save the Day
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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That said, I do think the film nails the look and feel of the Beetlejuice universe. From the moment it starts, you know you’re back, and it feels great! I spent most of the movie smiling. I actually think this might be a funnier movie than the original, largely thanks to Catherine O’Hara and Justin Theroux’s performances. They’re both terrific and deliver some brilliant one-liners.
However, as expected, Michael Keaton’s Betelgeuse steals the show. He was born to play the role, and he seems to be having even more fun this time around. There’s more of Betelgeuse in this movie than I was expecting, and I loved every minute of it.
The rest of the cast is solid, though Jenna Ortega’s performance is fine but not standout. My main issue was with Winona Ryder’s Lydia, who felt like a completely different character from the original. Her performance felt off, as if she was playing a version of her Stranger Things character, which didn’t quite fit.
Final Thoughts on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
READ MORE: Beetlejuice 2 Is Officially In The Works At WB
Overall, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, nostalgic ride that captures the essence of Tim Burton’s original film. While the plot is convoluted and lacks substance, the movie still manages to entertain. It’s fun, funny, and full of nostalgia, even though it could have been much more with a stronger story. Michael Keaton’s return as Betelgeuse is worth the price of admission alone, but I can’t help but wish the film had taken more creative risks with its plot and characters.
Ultimately, it’s a sequel that shows love for the original but lacks the originality to stand on its own.
