Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - is whimsical cinema back?

Exploring the sequel to Burton's widely loved cult classic!

Ever since Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was announced - I have been SO excited to watch and write a review on the sequel to a favourite Tim Burton film of mine. Beetlejuice 2 is here, and it’s a wickedly delightful whirlwind of gothic whimsy that’s got my Tim Burton-loving heart all a-flutter.

Michael Keaton is a dream come true as Beetlejuice. His performance is even more delightfully unhinged than before, and I’m here for every manic moment. It’s as if he’s been brewing mischief in the afterlife for decades, just waiting for the right moment to unleash it. Beetlejuice’s antics are even more outlandish, and watching him interact with the new characters is a total blast. His heart is still set on marrying Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz, but now his ex-wife Delores, Monica Bellucci (more on her later), is in the picture too.

Speaking of, the new cast members add a fresh layer to the story, blending seamlessly with the beloved originals (minus Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis’ Adam and Barbara Maitland). They bring their own unique charm to the mix, adding new dimensions to the already vibrant tapestry of the film. Jenna is amazing as Astrid - and I believe it when Winona said that ‘We were waiting for Jenna to be born, and grow up and be the perfect age.’ Jenna fits perfectly into the world of Beetlejuice and Tim Burton, as the iconic Lydia Deetz’ daughter nonetheless. We were also introduced to the gorgeous Monica Bellucci’s character of Delores - Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, the soul-sucker looking for revenge. We also briefly saw Danny DeVito take on a role as an un-dead janitor, and William Dafoe as an ex-actor turned detective in the afterlife, and I have zero complaints about their performances!

Tim Burton’s gothic touch is back in full force, and oh, how it thrills me. The film’s visuals are a dazzling feast of dark whimsy—imagine the classic Burton flair with a modern twist of neon and surreal landscapes. The afterlife is even more fantastically bizarre, with new realms and creatures that are pure Burton magic. It’s a visual wonderland that makes my gothic heart sing. Although, despite all of these new settings, we still returned to the classic Maitland house and their fantastical miniature model of the town in their attic! We also saw a return of the iconic sand-worms, with even more impressive animation and stop motion.

And let’s not forget the soundtrack! Danny Elfman’s return is like a darkly enchanted symphony. His score weaves through the film with that perfect mix of eerie and whimsical, enhancing every scene with a hauntingly beautiful touch. But really, what else could you expect from the score of a Tim Burton movie.

At its heart, Beetlejuice 2 continues to explore themes of identity and chaos in the afterlife, but it’s wrapped in a fresh layer of humour and gothic elegance. It’s a delightful blend of everything that made the original so special, with enough new twists to keep it exciting.

My only critique would be that there were so many plotlines (all very interesting nonetheless), that we didn’t get to see all of them be resolved in as much detail as we’d like. For example the character of Richard, Astrid’s dad. Why wasn’t Lydia able to see him? Was he a civil servant in the afterlife because he committed suicide (what they told us in the original film)?

In a nutshell, Beetlejuice 2 is a whimsical gothic dream come true for fans like me. It’s a perfect mix of nostalgia and fresh, eerie fun that keeps the magic of the original alive. If you’re as enchanted by Tim Burton’s world as I am, this film is sure to cast its own spell on you. Buckle up for a wild ride through the afterlife—you’re going to love every spooky, whimsical minute of it!

Once again thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it :) Let me know your thoughts on the film!