The wait is finally over, folks! The ghost with the most is back. And even after more than 35 years, he’s as wonderfully weird as we remembered.
Tim Burton's highly-anticipated revisit to the afterworld in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a delightful cinematic escapade that invites fans of the original film and newcomers alike into its whimsically macabre world of ghosts, ghouls, and reconciling what happens in life as we get older.
Burton, working from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, rejuvenates the joy and wonderment of the beloved 1988 classic not with only a mere superficial facelift but with a heartfelt expansion of its universe, exploring themes of family, aging, and the supernatural… all with Burton's signature flair.
The plot kicks off with the Deetz family (remember them?) returning to Winter River to attend a funeral following a tragic family death. This multigenerational saga sees Lydia Deetz, once a haunted teenager, now a goth artist with TV show and a dark sense of humor, navigating life with her own rebellious teen daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega).
Things take a morbid turn when Astrid stumbles upon a mysterious model of the town in the attic. Her curiosity leads to the accidental opening of the afterlife portal which unwittingly unleashes the prison-striped Beetlejuice from his dimensional limbo. As Lydia struggles to balance her creative career and a growing family life, Beetlejuice, played once again by the indomitable Michael Keaton, causes havoc in the mortal world, aiming to reclaim his status as the ultimate ghostly prankster.
Meanwhile, a new group of living and dead characters, including a quirky ghost hunter, join forces with Lydia to put an end to Beetlejuice’s mayhem. With Burton's signature blend of macabre and whimsy, the film explores themes of identity and family, all while delivering a visually stunning and humorously twisted adventure. The stakes are higher and the laughs are darker as Beetlejuice wreaks more havoc than ever before.
The cast, including Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and a cameo by Danny DeVito, seems to relish their roles, bringing an infectious energy to the action. Keaton’s return as the titular character is nothing short of spectacular; his performance strikes a perfect balance between humor, insanity, whimsy, and menace. Bellucci's portrayal of a stapled-together, soul-sucking demon adds an eerie elegance to the ensemble, making her both a formidable and captivating presence.
What truly sets Beetlejuice Beetlejuice apart is Burton’s insistence and dedication to practical effects over CGI when possible, which gives the film a wonderfully tactile quality. Each scene unfolds like a piece of performance art, blending both worlds of the living and the afterlife seamlessly… yet bizarrely. Burton's eccentric imagination shines through every frame, creating an immersive, freakish universe that is both familiar and refreshingly new. He cleverly revisits what audiences loved about the first installment, all while introducing fresh plot twists that keep us on our toes.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a testament to Tim Burton's remarkable ability to craft experiences that are both spooky and irreverent. It’s a film that wholeheartedly embraces its weirdness and takes storytelling risks, much to the delight of Beetlejuice enthusiasts and Burton fans. This sequel not only pays homage to its predecessor but also expands upon it, delivering a cinematic experience that is as enchanting as it is entertaining. Don't miss out on this beguiling return to Burton's delightfully demented world—it's a trip you won't want to end.
MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 105 mins
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Cast: Michael Keaton; Winona Ryder; Catherine O'Hara
Genre: Comedy | Horror
Tagline: The Ghost With the Most is Back.
Memorable Movie Quote: "The Juice is Loose"
Theatrical Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site: https://www.beetlejuicemovie.com/
Release Date: September 6, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.
