Image Source: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Theatrical Release Poster
Preben Svitzer, Review Desk Lead of The Powderhorn
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a dark fantasy comedy horror movie directed by Tim Burton and is based on a screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Miller. This 2024 film serves as a sequel to the 1988 film, “Beetlejuice,” also directed by Burton. First released in the United States on September 6, 2024, the film grossed over $272 million worldwide, despite a budget of roughly $100 million, and received mainly positive reviews from both audiences and critics alike.
The movie follows Lydia Deetz, a returning character from the “Beetlejuice,” but who has now matured into an adult with her child, Astrid. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s” story plot is relatively similar to that of the previous film, displaying Lydia in her continued fight against the ghost Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetlejuice) and his desire to marry her to assert his presence in the mortal realm. While “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has the same premise as its predecessor, the new production’s storyline and execution ultimately fall short.
“Beetlejuice” was a well-known and beloved movie for those who saw its release in 1988, and as a result, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” had especially large expectations to fulfill. Whether the sequel met its expectations is debatable; while most viewers and critics generally gave it positive reviews, others were unhappy with certain aspects of the movie.
Starting with the more loved scenes, people were delighted to see Micheal Keaton back in the role of Betelgeuse. Micheal Keaton wasn’t the only famous actor in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Danny DeVito and Jenna Ortega also starred in the movie. If there was one thing Tim Burton and the production team succeeded in, it would be their choice of casting, as every actor naturally fit into their respective roles perfectly.
"Beetlejuice," the predecessor, was known for its balance of humor and terror; however “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” wasn’t able to follow that same relationship. The film was brimming with jokes and silliness, which significantly undermined the scare factor of the movie.
By far the most disappointing aspect of the movie was the plot. The storyline wasn’t concise and the attempt to tell multiple stories simultaneously may work in some movies, but it did not succeed in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Fans were disappointed by the film’s execution, with some viewers feeling that many scenes were drawn out for no reason and the conclusion felt forced, as if the producers were trying to complicate a simple ending.
Overall, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” caters to fans of the original 1988 film, as the directors aimed to appeal to nostalgia. This strategy worked great on the older audience, who gave positive reviews, but the movie fell flat for younger audiences who hadn’t seen the original. While “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” cast remarkable actors and does an excellent job catering to longtime fans, a flawed storyline and subpar film execution lowered the overall rating of the movie. Nonetheless, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is still an enjoyable experience for anyone enthusiastic about the bridging genre between horror and comedy.
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