‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Review: Tim Burton’s Quirky Sequel Delivers Ghostly Nostalgia

Tim Burton is back with a ghostly encore that fans have been waiting for over three decades. In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”—the much-anticipated sequel to the 1988 cult classic “Beetlejuice”—Burton dusts off his iconic bag of tricks and delivers a film that feels like a spirited nod to fans of the original. Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and the new addition Jenna Ortega, this sequel might not reach the same haunting heights as its predecessor, but it’s got just enough of that Burton-esque magic to satisfy its audience.

A Trip Down Memory Lane with a Twist

Back in 1988, “Beetlejuice” wasn’t just a movie; it was an experience. Part comedy, part horror, and all Tim Burton, the film was a carnival ride of quirky humor and ghoulish charm. The movie’s appeal was rooted in its bizarre yet captivating portrayal of the afterlife—a place filled with bureaucratic nightmares, shrunken heads, and creepy-crawly delights. Michael Keaton’s unforgettable portrayal of Beetlejuice, the anarchic bio-exorcist with a chaotic charisma, made him a character for the ages. He was a mix of Groucho Marx, a sleazy carnival barker, and a deranged ghoul, and he made “Beetlejuice” more than just a film; he made it a cultural phenomenon.

Fast forward to 2024, and Burton invites us back to his twisted playground with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” But can lightning strike twice? Not quite, but that doesn’t mean the sequel isn’t worth your time.

The Plot: A Patchwork of the Past and Present

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” opens in a familiar yet slightly worn-out landscape. Winona Ryder returns as Lydia Deetz, the former goth teen who now, still shrouded in black and with spiky bangs, has become a psychic medium and the host of her own paranormal reality TV show, “Ghost House.” She’s older, perhaps wiser, but still troubled—this time by her insufferable boyfriend, Rory (played by Justin Theroux), a TV producer with a penchant for faux-spirituality and self-help clichés. Lydia’s daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega), is a typical rebellious teen who dismisses her mother’s ghostly fixations as delusions.

Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as the delightfully narcissistic stepmother Delia, adding her signature brand of overwrought theatrics to the mix. The absence of Lydia’s father, Charles, is addressed in a bizarre claymation segment that sees him transformed into a headless trunk, a nod to the film’s campy roots and a creative solution to avoiding the problematic past of actor Jeffrey Jones.

A Ghostly Reunion with Beetlejuice

But what about the ghost with the most? Michael Keaton returns as Beetlejuice, and despite being 73, he still embodies that wild-eyed, manic energy that made the character a legend. His reappearance in Lydia’s life is marked by his usual brand of chaos—this time under the guise of a twisted couple’s therapist who seems more interested in literal gut-spilling than healing. Keaton’s Beetlejuice is as scuzzy and sly as ever, proving that some spirits never age.

Monica Bellucci as Delores: A Ghoulish Newcomer

One of the new and most memorable characters is Monica Bellucci as Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, who’s been sliced into various pieces and has to staple herself back together to the tune of the Bee Gees’ “Tragedy.” It’s a scene that perfectly encapsulates Burton’s off-kilter sense of humor—morbid yet oddly musical, horrifying but hard to look away from. Delores goes on to wreak havoc, sucking the souls out of ghosts to make them “really dead,” adding a new layer of macabre to the already twisted storyline.

A Lightweight Sequel That Leans on Fan Service

Let’s not sugarcoat it: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is no “Beetlejuice.” The sequel lacks the original’s fresh unpredictability and chaotic genius. It’s more of a nostalgic trip, leaning heavily on references and familiar gags to keep fans engaged. The film’s structure feels like a collection of sketches—some hitting their mark, others feeling a bit forced. However, it’s this very patchwork nature that also works in its favor. Like Delores stitching herself back together, the film pieces itself into a whole that, while not seamless, is endearing in its own right.

The moments where the movie comes alive are the ones where Burton’s imagination is allowed to run wild. Scenes like Beetlejuice’s bizarre therapy session or a grotesque baby Beetlejuice crawling on the ceiling are examples of that twisted genius we’ve come to expect from Burton. But there are also moments that feel like a stretch, like the “Soul Train” gag, which, while visually inventive, feels like it’s trying a little too hard to recapture a certain offbeat charm.

The Burton Magic: A Mix of Nostalgia and New Tricks

It’s clear that Burton is aware of his brand. As a filmmaker, he’s long since become synonymous with a kind of macabre whimsy that’s both endearing and slightly unnerving. With “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” he doesn’t stray far from his established style. The sets are a gothic playground, the characters are delightfully over-the-top, and the humor is as dark as it is playful. But there’s also a sense that Burton is playing it safe, sticking to a formula that, while effective, isn’t exactly groundbreaking.

Despite these shortcomings, there’s a certain charm to the film’s dedication to its own wacky universe. The movie is filled with callbacks and homages—not just to the original “Beetlejuice,” but to other horror classics as well. There’s a nod to the black-and-white horror of Mario Bava, a dream sequence straight out of “Carrie,” and a wedding scene set to Richard Harris’s rendition of “MacArthur Park” that’s both surreal and strangely touching.

A Sequel That’s More Trick Than Treat, But Still Fun

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” may not capture the lightning-in-a-bottle brilliance of the original, but it’s not without its charms. It’s a film that knows its audience, one that leans into its role as a piece of fan service with a wink and a nudge. It’s a haunted house ride through Burton’s twisted imagination—a bit creaky and cobwebbed in places, but with enough surprises to keep the thrills coming.

In the end, it’s a sequel that’s more about celebrating the original’s legacy than creating a new one. It’s a love letter to fans, filled with enough Burton-esque quirks to keep the ghost of its predecessor alive. So, if you’re a fan of the original, looking to revisit that world, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” offers just enough ghostly delights to make it worth the trip back to the Netherworld.

And hey, isn’t that what sequels are for? To remind us why we loved the original in the first place.