Beetlejuice Pt 2: Burton and Keaton's Nostalgic Comeback

Has Burton lost his touch?

Did Michael Keaton get too old to act?

Is this another jump on the cash bag like many many many others in nowadays Hollywood?

For answer to those and more questions read below review, where author will unveil that no, Burton did not loose his touch and no, Mr Keaton is not too old to act and even if this was a jump on cash and hard rough ride on fans nostalgia – it still delivers.

Movie tells a story of our good friend Lydia Deetz and her young daughter Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega. I don’t know why but I have a feeling after her performance in “Wednesday” that soon she will jump out of my fridge she’s so popular nowadays) and Catherine OHara is back as mother Delia. There are some new faces joining the story: Monica Bellucci playing corpse bride, ah, sorry, I meant – Delores. Proving that even as rotting corpse she is still beautiful, Willem Dafoe is joining as Wolf Jackson.

Story seems simple enough – here we have angry and conflicted teenager (Ortega) and her mother suffering for freshly awaken PTSD after meeting Beetlejuice all those years ago. Family tragedy is bringing all family back to the old house in Winter River. The town model is discovered, Beetlejuice mentioned once and twice …. but not yet third time. It is more than sure now that someone will say his name again. Question who and why? Won’t say more, to avoid spoilers.

A Nostalgic yet Modern Take

Maybe because I generally appreciate and like early Tim Burtons work (Vincent!), I was not having any expectations towards the second part of Beetlejuice when it was announced. First part from 1988 is movie with certain iconic atmosphere around it for many many people and one could thought that doing second part of what seems like finished story is not necessarily a good idea.

Especially in current Hollywood trend of lack of fresh ideas, redoing old movies, recycling old ideas and don’t even start me on Disney and their live action reenactments of classic animations! In the spirit of “modern audience” and “needing to appeal to current trends” one could got worry that Beeltljuice will become more Gen Z friendly, less crazy and more politically correct version of his old-self. This is not the case. It made me very very happy to see good old physical aspects of movie still in place like costumes and masks instead of CGI.

Don’t get me wrong, of course there is CGI, but it’s tasteful and does not shouts in your face like in so many movies nowadays. It serves a purpose and it’s not to be main character. Beeltejuice is still crazy like a drunken bat, vulgar from time to time and you certainly won’t miss some gore when leaving the cinema! Movie still carries (at least a part) if the originals charm mixing it masterfully with a bit more modern elements and new faces.

New Characters and Missed Opportunities

The only and the biggest regret is waste opportunity for Monica Bullici character – Delores. Being set as a main villain of the story she really doesn’t do much at the end of the day apart from gracefully hoover through the corridors. Maybe it was the point to let Beetlejuice still be the main problem and the main villain in his movie?

We wont know until T. Burton wont comment on it himself. Music in the movie is very very well thought and brings back smile on your face in certain moments as well as it was in the first part from 88. All and all Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a good, fun entertainment and well crafted movie. It does not tarnish the memory of original movie and it does justice to all the old characters. It is round and nice fun for all family! Wait, wait a second!

A little personal note: PLEASE, for love of everything you hold saint, please! Read what kind of movie you’re taking your kids on! As being in the cinema we were sitting next to maybe 2 year old and behind us was sitting (and crying for 80% of time!) little boy. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is NOT a movie for small children! Sorry, I needed to say this as it really brings a lot of topics and pictures which not necessarily can be appropriate for little humans.

Movie Title	Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Release Date	06.09.2024
Director	Tim Burton
Writers	M. McDowell, L. Wilson, A. Gough
Cast	M. Keaton, W. Ryder, C. O’Hara, J. Ortega, W. Dafoe

Final Verdict

Taking this under consideration I would say that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is simply a good anddecent continuation of Deetzs family story and I will certainly M. Keatons performance as Beetlejuice, as it was not falling short to his previous work in striped suit from 88!