The juice is loose!
Thirty-six years after the release of the 1988 cult
classic Beetlejuice, Tim Burton returns with a highly anticipated
sequel, reuniting the beloved original cast while seamlessly introducing new
characters portrayed by perfectly cast actors (Willem Dafoe, Jenna Ortega and
Monica Bellucci). The blend of nostalgia with those new characters gave a new
life into the quirky, supernatural world that audiences have cherished for
decades.
Following a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz
family return to their home in Winter River. Lydia (Winona Ryder) still haunted
by the mischievous Beetlejuice, finds her life thrown into chaos when her
teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), unintentionally reopens the portal to
the Afterlife.
Even though this sequel gave a new life to the cult classic
film and introduced it to younger generations, this sequel felt entirely
unnecessary, leaving me with a deep sense of disappointment. My excitement
peaked as the opening credits rolled (same pattern, same score than the
original, I was thrilled), but as the film progressed, that enthusiasm quickly
faded. What started with such promise only spiraled downward, with each scene
feeling duller than the last, ultimately failing to capture the magic of the
original.
The script was a mess, lacking cohesion and focus. The plot
felt fragmented, straying in too many directions without ever settling on a
clear narrative or purpose. It was as if the film was trying to do too much,
resulting in a chaotic, confusing experience — an actual nightmare, both
figuratively and literally.
There was just too much going on, and I struggle to even try
to put together how each story lines are supposed to fit together. First,
Charles dies, prompting everyone to return to Winter River. Then Astrid falls
for a guy who’s, well, dead. She somehow ends up in the Afterlife, she almost
dies because of that random guy, only to find her father there. Next, Delia
dies, and Beetlejuice shows up, to help Lydia enter the Afterlife to search for
Astrid (guess what Beetlejuice asked in exchange). On top of that,
Beetlejuice’s wife is after him, and a police officer (who’s also an actor,
apparently) is investigating her. And just when I thought it couldn’t get more
confusing, Beetlejuice turns out to be Italian? At that point, I was completely
lost, and I still is.
On the brighter side, the production design was absolutely
perfect, successfully recapturing the whimsical charm of the 1988 original.
Every set, prop, and visual detail felt like a loving homage to the quirky,
gothic world we first fell in love with, immersing the audience in that
familiar atmosphere. They even incorporated props and elements from the first
movie as a clever nod to 1988 Beetlejuice, adding a layer of
nostalgia for longtime fans. It’s one of the few elements that truly shined and
made the film feel connected to this spooky universe.
Special kudos to Catherine O’Hara — she was, as always, an
absolute delight. However, I found myself seeing more of Moira Rose than Delia
Deetz in her performance even though they are the same archetype.
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice now playing in theatres near you!