As a long-time fan of Tim Burton’s quirky and macabre world, I must admit that watching “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” left me with a bittersweet feeling. Having grown up with the original “Beetlejuice,” I was excited to see how the story would unfold in this sequel, but I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of plotlines that were juggled simultaneously.
⚠️ CAUTION: This article reveals significant plot points from the movie ‘Beetlejuice’, so if you’d rather not have your surprise spoiled, it’s best to stop here. Proceed at your own risk! 👻🐛
Title character Beetlejuice returns, but does the sequel, “Beetlejuice,” live up to its potential as the best? Early responses to the long-awaited follow-up hint that this new horror film (a lighthearted use of the term) is a fitting continuation of one of Tim Burton’s finest works. I, too, believe it holds many merits for this reason.
While there are several factors that make me think the 2024 film doesn’t quite match up to the 1988 original “Beetlejuice,” I’d like to focus on Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the character, who goes by Betelgeuse in the movie. Here’s why the 1988 version was unforgettable for me and, at times, felt timeless.
Improvements
I firmly believe that I’ll recall “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” as one of the outstanding horror films from 2024 (using the term “horror movies” rather broadly), and here’s my reasoning:
Betelgeuse Gets More Screentime
Betelgeuse, a well-known and cherished character portrayed by Michael Keaton, appeared for only 17 minutes in the original 90-minute film. However, this changes significantly in “Beetlejuice” where Keaton takes center stage, as suggested by his top billing (with rumors that he might revert to using his birth name, Michael Douglas).
In this film, the character in stripes takes on a more prominent role and lessens some of his aggressive and twisted traits, without becoming too dominant. It’s delightful to see Keaton revive his most charming characters, but Betelgeuse stands out as the best return yet – you can tell the actor enjoyed himself immensely while portraying him in the sequel.
A Deeper Exploration Of The Afterlife
Want to hear a fun fact about Michael Keaton? It was actually the actor’s idea to depict the afterlife as a spooky DMV, if you will. This one-of-a-kind design was the one aspect of Beetlejuice I was looking forward to seeing more of in the follow-up than Betelgeuse, and it certainly did not disappoint.
As a gamer, stepping back into the lobby feels familiar, but it’s packed with fresh faces, the recently departed. Yet, there’s more to explore now – a police department for the netherworld, a station where spirits embark on their journey to the “great beyond.” There’s even a “soul train,” named after the legendary dance show, that’s quite a sight to behold. Even Betelgeuse and Danny DeVito from Batman Returns and Dumbo are here now, with Betelgeuse taking up a legitimate role and Danny working as a grim-looking janitor.
An Even More Wondrous Aesthetic
Anticipation often accompanies long-awaited sequels, with concerns about whether it will meet expectations. Yet, what kept my hopes high for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was news that it would prioritize practical effects, similar to the original film, over CGI. Although computer animation was employed occasionally, the scenes crafted naturally resulted in some of the franchise’s most striking visuals.
Revisiting iconic aspects like sandworms with clever camera techniques, animatronics, prosthetics, and stop-motion animation stirred my nostalgia. However, it was the fresh ideas and visuals that truly amazed me. The characters introduced, including a man nearly consumed by a rattlesnake and Charles Deetz who lost his head to a shark, were all brilliantly executed.
There Are More Surprising Twists And Turns
“What sets Beetlejuice apart as one of the top films from the 1980s is its distinctive approach to a storyline that, on the surface, appears quite simple and predictable. However, if you’re looking for unexpected plot twists in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, you will certainly find them.
What struck me was the surprising revelation about Astrid Deetz’s (Jenna Ortega) romantic interest, Jeremy (Arthur Conti), who turns out to be not just a ghost, but also a malicious spirit that deceives her into draining her life energy. In contrast, Rory’s (Justin Theroux) plan to marry Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) primarily for her medium abilities, although predictable to some extent, provided an intriguing twist in his character development.
Delia’s Character Improvements
As a devoted fan, it was a pure delight to see Catherine O’Hara reprise her role in “Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice.” Although I hold a special place in my heart for her Emmy-winning portrayal of the quirky Delia Deetz in the original movie, I must confess that this time around, I found myself drawn to the character herself even more.
The following story implies that Delia’s past encounter with Betelgeuse may have triggered a substantial change in her character. She now comes across as less arrogant and more bearable, which is quite noticeable. Furthermore, she has also established a more robust bond with her stepdaughter.
Detractions
In every aspect I adored about “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice“, I found myself disappointed in several areas too, including…
The Script Is Not As Funny As The Original
Although the original “Beetlejuice” might not rank among the top horror-comedies for its scary elements, it certainly shines due to its humor, and particularly Tim Burton’s exceptional performance. Regrettably, humor is an area where “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” falls short in comparison.
I found some jokes in Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s script amusing, but many others seemed tired and lacking creativity. Honestly, I believe much of Betelgeuse’s dialogue wouldn’t have worked as well without Michael Keaton’s enthusiastic acting.
The Story Tries To Juggle Too Many Plot Lines At Once
Previously, I praised “Beetlejuice” for its simple storyline, which is something I find particularly appealing about the movie. Although I appreciate that “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” largely deviated from the original film’s narrative, I found myself yearning for a more focused plot this time around, as it seemed to juggle multiple stories at once.
In this film, Betelgeuse finds himself dodging his former spouse, Lydia, who has unexpectedly gotten hitched to Rory. Astrid grapples with the grief from her father’s demise many years ago, while Delia struggles with the loss of her own husband. To add to the chaos, Astrid is abducted into the afterlife. In a desperate move, Lydia turns to Betelgeuse for assistance. The interwoven plots are complex and fast-paced, which makes it challenging to follow along. Regrettably, the conclusion seems hastily wrapped up, lacking the necessary depth and closure.
Monica Bellucci’s Delores Is Wasted
As a gamer, diving into the world of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I found myself longing for more depth from Delores’ character, played by Monica Bellucci. Her captivating entrance, where she pieced together her disconnected self, and the intriguing revelation that she had poisoned Betelgeuse centuries ago left me eager to follow her journey. Unfortunately, the plot was so densely packed that Delores’ storyline seemed to get lost along the way, leaving me yearning for a more fulfilling exploration of her character arc.
Although her unique appearance makes an impression and the spectral effects of her soul-draining ability are impressive, Delores’ contribution to the plot ultimately proves inconsequential as she meets a quick end by a Sandworm mere moments after finding Betelgeuse.
No Adam Or Barbara
In the initial Beetlejuice, the protagonists are Adam and Barbara Maitland, a couple who’ve recently passed away and, reluctantly, enlist Betelgeuse’s aid to frighten the Deetzes from their home. While Tim Burton provided a clear rationale for Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis’ absence in the sequel, I believe that minimizing their characters’ role into a casual, passing comment was an oversight.
It’s clear that Baldwin has changed dramatically since 1988, while Davis seems to resemble her character from the original film quite vividly. I believe an appearance by the Academy Award-winning actress would have significantly enhanced the movie if executed skillfully. However, I understand that bringing back past actors isn’t always done effectively. Nevertheless, it might have been a beneficial choice, offering a better alternative to explaining they somehow crossed over through a loophole.
Before the release of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, I had secretly wished that a sequel might not materialize, considering the original as a timeless classic that could remain untouched. A piece of me still believes that this continuation was superfluous and does not match up to its predecessor in quality. However, I am grateful it came into being and am confident that I will savor it numerous times as a double bill with “Beetlejuice”.
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2024-09-07 16:37