Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
5SHARESBeetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast:
Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Michael keaton
Director:
Tim Burton
Written by:
Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Seth Grahame-Smith
Warner Bros.
2024
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.
Let’s be honest—when you hear about a sequel to Beetlejuice decades after the original, you probably brace yourself for disappointment. That’s exactly where my mind was going in. The original is a classic, and with so much time passing, the thought of recapturing that quirky magic seemed far-fetched. The trailers? Well, they didn’t exactly hype things up.
But, I was pleasantly surprised.
Stepping into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with cautious expectations, I have to admit it won me over. After years of anticipation and seeing trailers that didn’t exactly inspire confidence, I feared the spark of the original may have fizzled. But it turns out, I was wrong.
Michael Keaton returns to the role with the same chaotic energy that made Beetlejuice so iconic. Any concerns about his age or how the character might translate to the big screen again were squashed immediately. What looks underwhelming in a trailer is far more captivating on the big screen. He’s still got it, no doubt.
However, Catherine O’Hara truly shines. While Keaton’s performance is everything fans could hope for, O’Hara commands the spotlight in unexpected ways. Winona Ryder also brings that same quirky charm from the original, making it feel like no time has passed. As for the new faces—Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, and Willem Dafoe—they blend into this chaotic world without missing a beat.
The film’s tone is undeniably more exaggerated than its predecessor, veering into a more cartoonish direction. While this might bother purists, there’s an undeniable charm if you approach it with an open mind. The story might feel a bit overstuffed at times, but if you’re willing to roll with it, there’s fun to be had.
It’s not flawless, but for a sequel many thought would never happen, it more than holds its own. If you’re looking for pure Beetlejuice chaos, this delivers.
A Fun Return to the Netherworld
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice surprised me in the best way. Despite my initial doubts about recapturing the original’s magic after so many years, Keaton's chaotic energy, O’Hara’s standout performance, and the fun new cast made this exaggerated, cartoonish sequel a fun ride.