“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024) is a film that is not afraid to lend itself to its roots in order to present the audience with a sequel that feels true to the source material. Whether it’s the visual style, the old school CGI, the comedy, this movie really feels like it was made just after the first movie in 1988. It has no trouble taking what worked so well in the first movie, and transitioning it to this sequel. While there were some elements that could have been fleshed out into more detail, overall the movie felt refreshing in the sense that it wasn’t trying to be its own thing, and knew that sticking to the formula that made the first movie great would make it more successful with fans.
The movie follows Lydia Deetz from the first movie, who after all these years is still haunted by Beetlejuice, and others from the afterlife, but is now more timid, and anxious than she was in the first movie. She is living with her daughter Astrid Deetz, who does not believe in her ghost story ramblings, and she has a boyfriend named Rory, who is really just using her for her namesake, and for fame and money. It takes place in what appears to be present day, as there is modern technology featured in the film. The family is brought back together one day when Delia Deetz (Lydia’s stepmother) calls Lydia to let her know there has been a death in the family. The funeral is held, but is turned into a horribly forced proposal from Rory to Lydia. Lydia is pressured to say yes, and Astrid leaves the house on her bike.
On her bike ride, she manages to find a portal to the afterlife, after meeting a boy named Jeremy, who promises she’ll get to see her dad if she casts a spell. Meanwhile, in the afterlife, Beetlejuice is trying his best to avoid his ex-wife, Delores, who is a soul sucker, capable of killing even those who are already dead. His main idea to escape her, is to marry his way back into life. For the sake of spoilers, I have to leave the summary there, but it is enough to spark interest in my opinion.
Overall, this movie has charm to it. The charm it’s got allows for it to not take itself too seriously, and have fun with how it surrounds the story. It’s got the old school style of cgi, with practical effects, props, purposely budgeted VFX, and a whole vibe that really sets the mood for what you are getting yourself into by watching this movie.
A lot of the time, especially these days, watching movies from these big time film producers, and sequels to these big name movies, and they always seem so lifeless, so boring, and so obviously shot as a cash grab. It is refreshing when you can watch a sequel movie that doesn’t feel like a dull, generic movie, that thinks if it beats a dead horse enough, it will win the race. It has character, and it knows how to play into it, and it does so fluently, and respectfully.
The characters are also something to highlight from this movie, after all they play a big part in how the movie’s vibe and story plays out. Of course, we have returning characters like Wiona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, Micheal Keaton as Beetlejuice, and Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, all returning from the first movie, and additionally we have new ones such as Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson, Monica Belluci as Delores, and more! All of these characters add life to the movie, by playing their respective roles in the storytelling, and in keeping the audience entertained with their fantastic acting, and comedic timing.
All of this cumulates into a very solid movie, that one might even consider to be a new gen classic for the Halloween season. Maybe a bold statement, but for this movie, it might not be too far off the mark.