Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) *** [BJ Double Creature Pt. 2]
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), Tim Burton's 36-year-in-the-making sequel to his classic 1988 film Beetlejuice (review), was fun. Yes, it's overcooked (there's a lot going on in this movie). Yes, there are too many characters and storylines. Yes, some of the new characters get way too much screen time (as well as one old one in weirdly roundabout ways). Yes, some of the new characters didn't really need to be part of the storyline. Yes, some of the dialogue was very expository (particularly in its delivery). Yes, some of the jokes don't land. Yes, the cinematography is bizarre (far too many closeups and oddly framed compositions). Yes, maybe I'm more forgiving than I normally would be because I love the first film and its characters so much.
But...there is a good deal to appreciate here. Michael Keaton is mostly a pleasure to watch as he steps back into the titular character. Jenna Ortega fits well into this universe. Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara were both solid, though they felt like they were trying a little too hard. Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci are all great actors and had some fun moments, though their characters only complicated the plot. The production design of the afterlife was excellent and really a joy to revisit. There were lots of new and creative dead people and lots of fun makeup. From what I could tell most of the effects were practical and quite visually pleasing. There were some very amusing musical numbers. The overt callbacks to the original were minimal (there's even a subtle nod to Charles Deetz's Marcel Marceau joke, which I greatly appreciated).
So while the film certainly has as many flaws as it does positives, I can say that I smiled a lot and was entertained. Maybe this sequel wasn't necessary and who knows how it will hold up over time, but it's far from a disaster and that was all I hoped for.
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