If I was to compile a list of movies I never thought would get a sequel, of all the films to appear on my list, 1988’s Beetlejuice would certainly be near the top. Despite attempts in the ‘90s to develop a sequel to the film (Beetlejuice in Love, Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, etc), it never seemed like a follow-up would ever actually happen.
Oh, there were rumours, but that’s all it ever seemed to be. And no amount of fan-made trailers or fake social media posts could convince me otherwise.
So, imagine my surprise when all of a sudden, post-pandemic, a Beetlejuice sequel was announced. And then not only was it announced, but director Tim Burton came on board, many of the original stars signed up to appear, and the whole thing went into production!
And now here we find ourselves with a new Beetlejuice movie on our hands. It is a tangible thing which exists, and get this: It is now playing in cinemas all over the world.
The movie is called Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and as noted above, the film is directed by Tim Burton. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, and picks up in real time with the Deetz family once again crossing paths with the ghost with the most.
In the film, it has been 36 years since the events of Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz is now the host of a supernatural talk show called Ghost House. Lydia is also widowed, mother to estranged teenage daughter, Astrid, and in a new relationship with her producer boyfriend, Rory.
During the filming of a recent episode of her talk show, Lydia sees visions of Betelgeuse. A short while later, she receives news that her father, Charles, has died.
Heading back to her former home in Winter River, Lydia attends her father’s funeral, with Rory, Astrid, and step-mother Delia in tow. Following on from the ceremony Rory proposes to Lydia, which causes further complications with Astrid.
With Astrid upset, it isn’t long before she gets herself into trouble. This trouble involves the afterlife and a boy named Jeremy.
Concerned about Astrid’s welfare, Lydia realises she is going to require some spiritual help to protect her daughter. In short, she requires the unique services of Betelgeuse.
However, Betelgeuse has problems of his own. A blast from his past has made an unexpected reappearance and has plans to seek out the demonic ghost.
Now, it’s fair to say the original Beetlejuice is a bona fide classic. It is a film a whole generation grew up on, and all these years later it is regularly wheeled out at Halloween, watched, rewatched, and rewatched again.
Parents who loved the film when they were kids, now share their love for it with their own children. As such, it’s essentially an untouchable picture with a huge fanbase.
Do I like it? Yes, I do.
I’m one of the former kids who grew up with Beetlejuice. And while I appreciate the film doesn’t have the strongest story, it’s an imaginative picture infused with Tim Burton’s immense creativity and signature style.
So, how does this new film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice shape-up in comparison? Well, it shapes up pretty well.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is dark, demented, and devilish fun. It is Tim Burton’s best film in years, and if you loved the original you’ll find much to enjoy here.
If you’ve seen the trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and you’ve seen all of those callbacks to the first film, you may be concerned that this picture is going to be all nostalgia and no substance. Well toss those fears aside, because Tim Burton isn’t on autopilot and the film isn’t just a spectre from the past.
Yes, there are callbacks but they are all handled rather well. The sandworms, the ‘Banana Boat’ song etc, are all present and correct, but they are a minor aspect of the film.
Oh, and while on the subject of the ‘Banana Boat’ song, there is a sequence in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice which rivals the iconic dance number. There’s also another highly entertaining musical scene which makes excellent use of the Bee Gees version of ‘Tragedy’, it happens early into the film, and it is fab.
And fab is the word I’m going to use to sum up my general feeling about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, because as you can probably tell I really like this movie. I expected a rehash or something slung together with little care and attention, and yet that’s simply not the case with this picture.
For Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton has dug deep, has fired up his imagination, and it’s clear the ol’ (beetle)juices are flowing. The beauty of this film is how creative and kooky it is, and how much it feels like an extension of the original.
Sure, 36 years may have passed, but Burton hasn’t lost sight of what made Beetlejuice so damn appealing. He brings back the magic and the flare, and he does it in so many ways.
The film is filled to the brim with sight gags and observational humour; it is loaded with quirky and/or creepy characters; and it is packed with heart. In fact, I’d argue the story in this film has more sentiment and a greater emotional impact than what was served up first time around.
Oh, and the film’s combined use of practical effects and computer generated imagery is brilliant. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice looks excellent and is proof that practical, in-camera effects work is still needed and more films should go back to this kind of filmmaking, rather than rely on an overabundance of CGI.
Well done, Mr. Burton. I applaud you.
But it’s not just Burton who brings his A-game, returning players Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara are also excellent. They don’t miss a beat – not one beat – and effortlessly pick up from where they last left off.
Keaton in particular is superb as Betelgeuse. He’s the exact same rogue he was before, and not an ounce of his character has been dulled or watered down for 2024.
As for Ryder and O’Hara we get matured versions of their characters and both hit just right. O’Hara is also hilarious and yes, the absence of Delia’s husband Charles is addressed and done so in a brilliant way.
Add to all this some new players, including the always dependable Jenna Ortega as Astrid, and the gorgeous Monica Bellucci as Delores, and you have a great film. A great film and a funny one too.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is landing in cinemas at the beginning of the spooky season and with its supernatural story, its macabre aesthetic, and its wicked sense of humour I can’t think of a more satisfying way to usher in Halloween. The film takes everything that made the first film a hit, gives it a bit of an update, and delivers almost as much fun.
Some will understandably prefer the original, but Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is by no means an inferior sequel. It’s no trick, it’s simply all treat, so get yourself off to the pictures and enjoy!
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Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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