Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
The original 1988 Beetlejuice is celebrated for its quirky charm, Michael Keaton's zany performance, and Winona Ryder's iconic portrayal of Lydia. Tim Burton, with only his second film, cemented his reputation as a filmmaker with a uniquely eerie and whimsical style.
With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Burton returns to his roots, bringing back the signature elements fans loved. From the opening moments with Danny Elfman’s haunting score and the familiar New England setting, viewers are transported back to the spooky world of Winter River. Lydia, now a "psychic mediator" and host of a paranormal reality show, is haunted by Betelgeuse once more. The film balances nostalgia with a fresh twist, thanks to Keaton’s energetic reprisal of his iconic role.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to blend the old with the new. While it revisits the whimsical ghostly world, it also introduces fresh faces and dynamics. Jenna Ortega's Astrid, the new goth queen, inherits Ryder’s mantle and brings a modern edge to the storyline. Supporting characters, like Willem Dafoe’s wacky afterlife cop and Monica Bellucci’s Delores, Betelgeuse’s eccentric ex, add fun, albeit brief, moments that contribute to the film’s unique tone.
Despite the return of beloved characters, the film introduces new faces like Jenna Ortega’s Astrid and Willem Dafoe’s delightfully eccentric Wolf Jackson. While these characters add fun to the story, some feel slightly underdeveloped due to the film’s tight runtime. Nonetheless, Keaton’s return as Betelgeuse revitalises the movie, bringing chaotic humour and energy to every scene he’s in.
At its best, the film embraces the quirky and bizarre, leaning into Burton’s signature style. From creative stop-motion sequences to eerie prosthetics, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice shines brightest when it lets Burton’s imagination run wild. Though not without its flaws, the movie captures enough of the original's eccentric magic to entertain both long-time fans and new viewers. But the film is completely bonkers!
The film opened on 6th September and is currently showing everywhere.
