Costumes are being thought up, pumpkins are being picked, people are buying decorations, and popular director, Tim Burton is making a comeback. After 36 long years, Winona Ryder returns in the second part of “Beetlejuice”, exhilarating thousands of fans all over the world. As I sat in the theater and the camera zoomed in on the town of Winter River, I felt a rush of excitement take me over, knowing I was about to watch a beautiful and nostalgic movie.
The award winning movie “Beetlejuice” made a return in theaters on September 6th with its sequel and has already brought quite the appeal to many movie watching fans. The second movie is titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, and it follows three generations of the Dietz family who are returning to Winter River after an unforeseen tragedy. Lydia, Winona Ryder, remains haunted by “Beetlejuice” constantly trying to find a way out of it, but when her daughter finds a portal to the afterlife they are taken on an adventure reminiscent of the first movie. In addition to the reminiscent aspect of the movie, there are many specific references made throughout the second film that are one of the most exciting features according to most fans.
The thing about “Beetlejuice” that attracts the audience most is the iconic graphics. There are specific moments such as when Beetlejuice scares the Maitland couple from the first movie and it shows the back of his head with tentacles poking out, or when “Beetlejuice” morphs peoples faces in order to scare them that gives that classic “Beetlejuice” feel. The director and makeup designers were able to keep this feel in the second movie in such a satisfying way. Christine Blundell is one of these makeup artists who managed to avoid backlash from OG fans. She even stated in a Star Style article, “I think I’d have been literally blasted by the fans if she [Lydia] didn’t still have an essence of grown-up goth about her. So we definitely decided to sort of stay in that area” (Blundell 2024). The dedication throughout the whole movie is clear, that there was time and effort put ino this sequel. Yet another example of “Beetlejuice” references was Beetlejuice’s classic lip syncing moments. In the first film, it is hard to forget the classic scene where the Dietz family and guests are forced to sing “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” by Harry Belafonte. A similar scene appears in the second movie where Beetlejuice now forces the cast to sing “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris and it is an obvious parallel to the first movie. Something people love is nostalgia, and that is something “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” definitely provides. With the constant callbacks and references to the first movie, the audience was extremely entertained and pleased with the film.
There is much more to the film than the simple references to the first movie including
the overflowing talent from all. Tim Burton is known for his eerie and unique films such as Alice in Wonderland and Edward Scissorhands, and with his work as a director on “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” he did not let down. The cast did an amazing job as well with the same returning actresses like Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara as well as some newer actors such as Jenna Ortega, starring in the TV shows Stuck in The Middle and Wednesday. In fact Beetlejuice himself, Micheal Keaton, even said he felt nervous returning to the sequel. The writer-director, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, even told The New York Times, “I wrote it 100 percent with him in mind, to the point where if he had said no, I would have buried it and myself in the backyard” (Meyers-Shyer 2024). She knew the movie would not carry the same emotion and effect if she did not have all the original actors return, and I think that brought a lot of power to the sequel. The cinematography was also a strong feature in the movie giving the iconic Tim Burton feel. The colors and camera work keep you enticed the whole movie, if the plot loses you, the cinematography will surely bring you back in.
Though the movie remains exciting through and through, there were some parts that threw me off track a bit. It could have been a personal experience, but scenes such as a flashback of Beetlejuice’s life and overly graphic (gross) moments, seemed unnecessary to the movie. It may be seen as that ‘weird’ Tim Burton feel, but I could see it being too much for others during these scenes.
Overall, I would recommend the second movie in the Beetlejuice franchise whether you are a fan or not. The movie has enough creativity and adventure to pull you into the trap that many other fans have gone down, as well as a comedic and quirky tone that will keep you guessing the whole film. My personal rating would be a 8.5 out of 10 having a previous liking to the first movie from my younger days and the fact my excitement was met with satisfaction with the new movie. I say it is definitely worth the watch, so grab some popcorn, light a pumpkin scented candle, and get into the Halloween spirit!
