Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review: A fun and nostalgic sequel that lacks depth

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Although no modern rendition can truly mirror the groundbreaking and one-of-a-kind show that was Beetlejuice in 1988, the latest version certainly maintains the delightfully peculiar spirit it embodied

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a variety of sequels to classic films. Some have been clever reinventions like “Twisters”, others have fallen short as overly sentimental retellings such as “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”, and regrettably there have also been poorly executed money-making attempts like “The Exorcist: Believer”

In terms of classification, Beetlejuice 2 finds itself right in the middle – Tim Burton’s follow-up cleverly plays on fan expectations with nods to the past, while also introducing fresh, captivating elements. This includes broadening its otherworldly realm and delivering a mesmerizing musical performance

Above all, the film effectively conveys the manic essence of the source material, though it may fall short in fully realizing some of its brilliant concepts

The story unfolds about three decades following the initial film’s events, where the Deetz family matriarch and her descendants find themselves obliged to revisit their ancestral home in Winter River, due to the demise of Richard Deetz

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that Lydia, known for her distinctive gothic flair and spiked hair, has stepped into the role of host for a spine-tingling TV series titled “Ghost Town“. This new gig seems to be leveraging her unique talent – communing with the departed

Instead of the rebellious, intellectually sharp Lydia from the initial film, we encounter a different Lydia here. She’s tormented by her unsettling ability and inner turmoil, making it difficult for her to perceive that her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux) is using and controlling her

One explanation for this is that her daughter, Astrid (the actress Jenna Ortega from “Wednesday”), tends to find fault with her mother because it’s common for teenagers, especially those going through an angry phase, to channel their frustrations towards their parents and exploit their vulnerabilities

Upon learning about her father’s demise from her mother, Lydia (Catherine O’Hara), the trio journeys to Winter River to lay their father to rest and finally sell their family home

Nevertheless, the Deetz family finds themselves in a predicament yet again as the raucous and captivating demon Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) persists and some malevolent spirits seek to insinuate themselves into the realm of the living, causing the boundaries between their world and ours to blur

Returning to Neitherworld’s peculiar hallways and bureaucratic chaos is a delight. This strange realm, where spirits receive a number and patiently wait their turn to discover their post-death activities, offers an intriguing exploration in the sequel. We delve deeper into this subterranean world, encountering endless passport control queues and a disco-themed transportation system that ferries souls towards the Great Beyond

In the film, Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), head of the Neitherworld police force, shines brilliantly. He’s a fresh face who fits seamlessly into the role, having transitioned from his previous life as a Hollywood actor known for noir films. Now, he embodies that tough-as-nails detective character completely, yet occasionally he pauses to remind himself to stay grounded

The film’s eccentric visual design, luckily deviating from the standard CGI appearance of most modern blockbusters by utilizing a lot of real-life effects and stop-motion, matches flawlessly with the humor and peculiar creativity in its narrative

As a gamer, I can vouch for the same rule applying to the music in this film. The playful tunes composed by Danny Elfman blend seamlessly, while the movie also boasts some fantastic needle drops. From the Bee-Gees’ ‘Tragedy’ to Richard Max’s ‘Wherever You Go, Whatever You Do’, these hits really add to the overall experience

In the sequel, instead of repeating the scene from the original film where Harry Belafonte’s ‘Banana Boat (Day-O)’ was played during Richard’s funeral, they created a unique and impactful lip-sync moment near the end of the movie using a humorous and captivating performance of ‘MacArthur Park’

Scenes such as these hint at the possibility that “Beetlejuice” could have delivered on fans’ expectations, yet it’s far from flawless

Delores, Beetlejuice’s former wife portrayed by Monica Bellucci, has an intriguing background hinted at in a captivating Mario Bava-inspired flashback (delivered in Italian). However, her potential as a complex character who can vacuum the souls of the deceased and erase their existence isn’t fully realized within her antagonistic role in the story

In the series “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” there’s a frequent issue where, as it approaches intriguing themes, it often retreats and shifts focus instead, struggling to handle a narrative with an overabundance of plot twists

In the movie, we first see Lydia self-medicating after many years of therapy. Unfortunately, Rory exploits Lydia’s traumas in a harmful manner, creating a strained and complex relationship between them, which is a challenging bond between a mother and her teenage daughter. Although skilled writers might have delved deeper into these themes, they merely hint at them before quickly moving on without fully exploring their depths

It’s quite striking (and unfortunate) when it impacts Lydia and Astrid’s bond, as their friendship is essentially the core of the tale

Regardless of certain flaws, Tim Burton effectively revives his widely acclaimed aesthetic in the story

Due to a series of poorly received Disney live-action adaptations, such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Dumbo”, along with films that fell flat like “Dark Shadows” and “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”, it’s not surprising that he was keen on returning to his original style of filmmaking, hoping to recapture some of the enchantment he had lost

Occasionally, the movie seems to pay homage to himself, with clear nods towards his previous creations; for instance, Astrid’s bike ride recalls the spirit of “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Delores is pieced back together in a manner reminiscent of Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and one of her hands scampers about the floor much like the character Hand from “Wednesday.”

Absolutely, he stirs up a sense of nostalgia by reintroducing the beloved movie “Beetlejuice” in cinemas once more

It appears that Burton is moving in the correct path with this piece, yet he achieves it by reviving one of his most renowned characters. This approach may cause him to overlook some of the unique elements that truly set his prior works apart

Is it possible for him to repeatedly create unique, invigorating films that introduce new cinematic icons, or is he now relying on the acclaim of his previous works?

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is released in cinemas on September 6.

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2024-09-04 19:09