Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” achieves the extremely rare feat of being a worthwhile sequel to a beloved property from decades ago (in fact, the only other extremely late sequel to pull this off is arguably “Top Gun: Maverick”).

Set comfortably in modern times, it doesn't get too bogged down with retreading the past. But if you've never seen the original “Beetlejuice” (what? Have you been living under a rock?) you need to do so before seeing this, because it is a direct continuation (as opposed to say, TGM where anyone can drop in and understand whats going on without seeing the original).

I'd love to know where the inspirations came from for this film, because it reminds me heavily of the (beloved?) 89' cartoon. Beetlejuice is as wacky as the original film, but dare I say a little bit more friendly? And I think that's why I'm getting the cartoon vibes. But it's a totally fine decision, that Micahel Keaton knocks out of the park, like he does in pretty much everything. His portrayal as Beetlejuice is obviously the main attraction here, but the entire cast is very solid with no weak links, and some very cool cameos that I won't mention.

Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara both continue their late-career resurgences, easily slipping back into their original roles with style. And if we're talking about late-career resurgences it's impossible not to mention the director himself – Tim Burton. This is the first movie in a long time that “felt” like an actual Tim Burton picture (including a musical score by long time collaborator Danny Elfman). Burton nails it through amazing costume and set design, a butt load of practical effects (yes!) and a lot of gruesome, gory humour that doesn't downplay the seriousness of death. Some of the afterlife residents are downright disgusting in the best possible way.

I think this just reinforces that Tim Burton is at his best when he's allowed to be Tim Burton. Most of his flops have been studio pictures for Disney (both “Alice in Wonderland” pictures,
“Dumbo”). And with all the flack Disney has been accumulating lately, it's easy to think he was heavily regulated with what he was actually allowed to do with stories or production decisions. Or maybe he just made something uninspired, who knows. I just know that this movie hits that classic Tim Burton feel we all know and love from movies like “Corpse Bride”, “Frankenweenie”, “Edward Scissorhands” and of course the original “Beetlejuice”.

It's not a perfect movie, but the only complaints I have (if it is even a complaint at all) is that there are just a lot of different storylines being tossed around. It almost feels like they conceptualized a season of a live action “Beetlejuice” TV show and then mashed them altogether into a movie. It still works, but certain things aren't developed well enough, or they end super abruptly. There's an entire side-plot of one of Beetlejuice's former lovers, and it's funny and interesting. But it's just not given enough room to develop into it's own thing, when it probably could have been the only focus of an entire movie. Instead it's just an add-on.

All in all though I was smiling so wide the entire movie, and I loved it from start to finish. Even despite it's minor flaws. It'll be a perfect addition to the Halloween watch-list for years to come, and fits in right beside the original. And given the name “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, although there's no indication given in the film, I can't help but feel it's only a matter of time until we get “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. And I can't wait.

8/10