- Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Willem Dafoe
- September 6th 2024
- 104
- Tim Burton
Michael Keaton returns as the titular bio-exorcist to help three generations of Deetz women with their problems.
It’s been 36 years since the original Beetlejuice hit our screens and now Tim Burton brings us a new instalment in his weird and wonderful franchise.
Set 36 years after the original, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now the host of the TV show Ghost House and in a relationship with her manager Rory (Justin Theroux).
After a family tragedy, Lydia returns to the family home in Winter River with her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and estranged daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) and is unable to shake the feeling that Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) is following her.
The bio-exorcist has been harbouring feelings towards Lydia for all these years and he doesn’t want to let her go this time.
This sequel is very loyal to the original and basically gives us more of the same (in a good way). There’s not too much fan service; Burton simply wanted them to look similar, with old-school practical effects, bonkers visual moments and stunning costumes, hair and make-up.
Unfortunately, the film is way too ambitious narratively. There are far too many characters with their own storylines and it is impossible to serve them all in a satisfying way. It is constantly cutting back and forth between the plot threads, meaning it doesn’t progress anywhere fast, and it feels very messy, overstuffed and all over the place. The first was simple, why make this one so complicated?
Although he is one of the dispensable characters, Willem Dafoe is a delight as Wolf Jackson, an actor who starred in a detective series and is now a cop in the afterlife. His line delivery and general demeanour are hilarious, while O’Hara is also comedy gold as the kooky artist Delia.
Keaton gamely throws himself into the part of Beetlejuice once again but he lacks a certain quality compared to his previous performance. Beetlejuice isn’t so detestable this time around, just mildly off-putting.
On the negative side, Monica Bellucci is criminally underused as Beetlejuice’s ex. She is set up as the main villain of the piece but ultimately has no real impact on the story. Also, Theroux’s character Rory is very annoying and should have had less screen time.
Fans of the original should be thrilled with this follow-up. The plot might be messy but it is entertaining and funny and as weird as the first one.
In cinemas from Friday 6th September.
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