Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

"The juice is loose!"

The long wait is finally over! After the original Beetlejuice (1988) became an instant classic, fans have been hoping for a sequel. Who doesn’t love a good Tim Burton movie, right? The impact of the original was so huge that when Burton hinted at a second movie back in 2013, the excitement only grew. Burton knew that if a sequel was going to happen, it had to live up to the original, especially since Beetlejuice is such an iconic film. He was also determined to bring back the original cast.

And now, after years of anticipation, the ghost with the most is back! Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, the official sequel is here, bringing back Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, while also introducing exciting new faces like Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux.

After an unexpected family tragedy, the Deetz family returns to their old home in Winter River. Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), still haunted by Beetlejuice, now faces new challenges with her rebellious teenage daughter (Jenna Ortega), with whom she has a strained relationship. When her daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife, Lydia realizes she needs help to rescue her. Who better to call than Beetlejuice himself?

However, in exchange for his help, Beetlejuice demands that Lydia marries him so he can escape the afterlife and resolve his own troubles. Complicating matters, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Dolores (Monica Bellucci), arrives seeking revenge for past grievances, all while on top of that being pursued by Wolf Jackson, a ghost detective.

As a long-time fan of the original Beetlejuice, I was a bit skeptical about the sequel. Let’s face it, sequels don’t always live up to expectations, especially when the original is as iconic as Beetlejuice. But when I got the chance to watch Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice at the Venice Film Festival, making me one of the first to see it, my doubts quickly faded. From the moment the opening sequence began, I felt a wave of relief—I knew this was going to be good.

Tim Burton’s unique style is unmistakable, and it shines through in this sequel. He skillfully connects us back to the original by weaving in nostalgic details, like the sandworm and familiar outfits. Even in an age dominated by AI and CGI, Burton made the bold choice to stick with practical effects, and it truly pays off. It’s a decision that gives the film a distinct charm, and I think it was a brilliant move.

Overall, I’d say it’s definitely a good movie. Of course, the original will always be top tier, and there will always be people debating whether the sequel was necessary. But in my opinion, does it really matter when it brings so much joy to fans? It’s packed with nostalgia for different generations, and at the end of the day, who cares if it was necessary or not? It was a fun watch!

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is out now in theaters!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZqL9N6Rx4