The reviews forBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceare in, and theTim Burton sequel’s “Certified Fresh” 78% score from critics onRotten Tomatoesindicates a resounding success for the filmmaker. Arriving over 36 years after the 1988Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s long-awaited follow-up explores the new and remaining members of theDeetz family treeas they return to Winter River after a tragic death. When a portal to the afterlife is opened, Lydia and Delia are caught up in the chaos of the realm once again, leading them to reluctantly summon Michael Keaton’s devious Betelgeuse while his ex-wife hunts him in the afterlife.
Given the long delay,Beetlejuice 2greatly exceeded expectations upon its September 2024 release, delivering an impressive critical response and massively successful box office projections.Beetlejuice 2’s 78% critics score is on par with the originalBeetlejuice’s 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving the sequel is worth the long wait. With Tim Burton in the director’s chair and Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprising their iconic roles inBeetlejuice 2’s cast, the horror-comedy has received plenty of praise for its story, actor performances, visual style and effects, humor, and value as a fun, entertaining movie experience.
10Beetlejuice 2’s Story Has More Emotional Depth Than The Original
Critics Cite The Movie’s Emotional Narrative As A Reason For Its Success
Its story is among the biggest reasons forBeetlejuice 2’s positive critical response. Diving further into the personal conflicts, familial dynamic, and struggles of the Deetz family, the sequel hasmore emotional depth in its plot and character arcs than the 1988 film. This could be a gamble after the original worked so well with a more basic story setup and exploration, but effectively justifies the reason for returning to Lydia and Delia’s story and reintegrating Betelgeuse into their familial chaos.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review: Sequel Pitfalls Can’t Keep Down Tim Burton’s Most Joyful Movie In Years [Venice]
Burton has credited his Beetlejuice Beetlejuice experience with rekindling his love of filmmaking, and I think there’s something to that.
From Lydia and Astrid’s complex relationship toBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s ramifications of and reflections on death, grief, and purpose, thesequel is strong when it focuses on the Deetzes’ emotional journeys and struggles. Additionally, it would be easy to rehash the original movie’s plot and simply repeat the1988Beetlejuicemovie’s endingof Betelgeuse being sent back to the afterlife, but Burton takes the sequel in a different, fresh direction.Beetlejuice Beetlejuicehas received some criticism for its story being spread too thin and lacking an overall coherent narrative, but still offers a darker tale with higher stakes.
9Beetlejuice 2 Is An Extremely Fun Viewing Experience
Beetlejuice 2 Is An Entertaining Blast To Watch
One of the most frequent reasons cited forBeetlejuice 2’s positive reviews is that the movie is extremely entertaining. From start to finish,Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceprovides a fun and enjoyable ride through one of Tim Burton’s most iconic, beloved, and fantastical worlds. The goofiness of the movie, Keaton’s wit and commanding presence, and the various catastrophes and set pieces thrown at the characters make for an enthralling viewing experience.
Why Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Took 36 Years To Be Made
Despite being in development since Tim Burton released the first movie in 1988, Beetlejuice 2 took over three decades to actually happen.
Even if the story or character explorations don’t work for everyone, themajority of critics agree thatBeetlejuice 2is enjoyable, funny, and, overall, a good time at the movies. Burton stays true toMichael Keaton’s iconic “It’s showtime!”Beetlejuicequote, putting on a fantastical, wacky, and energetic show for audiences. It’s clear that the cast and crew had a blast puttingBeetlejuice Beetlejuicetogether, and that passion and joy is translated into the movie for viewers to experience on the other side.
8Beetlejuice 2 Is Authentic To Tim Burton’s Original Movie
The Sequel Holds Up To The Original World & Characters
A big worry when returning to a long-revered story in a legacy sequel is that it will lose the heart and soul of what made the original so special.Beetlejuice 2doesn’t make this mistake, instead offering an authentic return while maintainingBeetlejuice’s signature humor, wacky horror elements, boundary-pushing effects and wit, and practical approach.Beetlejuice 2doesn’t feel like a parody of the 1988 originaland isn’t a major departure from Tim Burton’s iconic fantastical world. The sequel stands on its own while staying true to the original, extending what manyBeetlejuicefans loved about the first movie.
7Beetlejuice 2’s Cast Performances Are Strong & Compelling (Especially Catherine O’Hara)
Beetlejuice 2’s Actors Have Great Chemistry & Comedic Timing
Thepraise forBeetlejuice 2has also focused on the performances by the cast, with Delia Deetz actress Catherine O’Hara being a standout. The originalBeetlejuicemovie’s success largely hinged on the cast and their compelling characters, with the small ensemble uniting to form a captivating, funny, sharp, and genuine narrative. The chemistry betweenAdam and Barbara Maitland, the Deetzes, Betelgeuse, and company was palpable inBeetlejuice, and the same is true for the returning and new cast and characters inBeetlejuice 2.
Wolf Jackson
Willem Dafoe
Catherine O’Hara’s return as Delia Deetz has been a big standout inBeetlejuice 2’s reviews. The actress gives a scene-stealing performance as the hilarious, witty, narcissistic New York-based artist who initially finds herself out of place in the small town of Winter River. O’Hara maintains Delia’s signature charm and humor inBeetlejuice 2, and even gets to bounce off of Michael Keaton’s zany and crude Betelgeuse more in the sequel.
Michael Keaton and Betelgeuse still have the “juice” while hamming it up in the darkly comic sequel.
Michael Keaton is also given numerous shoutouts, as his commanding presence and humor prove just as entertaining and thrilling as in the 1988 movie. As expected, Michael Keaton and Betelgeuse still have the “juice” while hamming it up in the darkly comic sequel. Furthermore, Jenna Ortega is praised for the heart and demeanor she brings toteenage Astrid Deetz,affirming the returning actors’ statements that Ortega perfectly fit into the world, understood the tone, and had immediate chemistry with the cast. Of course, there’s no return toBeetlejuicewithout Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz, whose chemistry and dark wit remain pristine.
6Tim Burton Returns To The Trademark Style Of The Original Beetlejuice & His Early Movies
Beetlejuice 2 Brings Back Tim Burton’s Practical Effects, Creative Passion & Distinctive Style
A major reason for the celebration ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis the notion that it brings Tim Burton back to the filmmaking approach of his early filmmaking career.Beetlejuice 2’s stellar reviews and box officesuccess return him to the triumphs of his heyday, which was defined by his gothic, handmade, outcast-centered, dark and wacky stories. FromBeetlejuiceandEdward ScissorhandstoBatmanandEd Wood,Burton’s early movies shared similar themes, filmmaking approaches, and a distinctive creative touch that began to wane with his big-budget CGI-heavy studio outingslikeAlice in Wonderland,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, andDumbo.
The sequel brings Tim Burton back to the “Tim Burton” style that defined his breakout and early popularity.
Beetlejuice 2brings Burton back to his fantastical and ambitious yet more concise and unique tales of this era. The way thatBurton approaches the creation and style ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceis the same way that he handled the originalBeetlejuice, which, though perhaps contradictory, is what makes the 2024 sequel feel so fresh. The sequel brings Tim Burton back to the “Tim Burton” style that defined his breakout and early popularity, which is exactly the approach that is required to authentically return toBeetlejuice’s world and characters.
5Beetlejuice 2 Fantastically Expands On Its Spooky Afterlife & Worldbuilding
Beetlejuice 2 Has Plenty Of Exciting Additions To The Iconic Afterlife
Also highly praised by critics inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s reviews is the sequel’s expansion on the original movie’s afterlife and worldbuilding.Beetlejuice 2explores much more of the afterlife realm, how this world functions, who ends up where, and what other unexpected creatures and dangers lie in this location.Beetlejuice 2’s worldbuilding and afterlife additions reflect a satisfying rejuvenation in Tim Burton’s original and distinctive creativity and passion, enhancing the strangeness of the world that he crafted so brilliantly over three decades ago.
4Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Humor Is Just As Sharp As The 1988 Original
Beetlejuice 2’s Wit Mirrors The Comedy Of The First Movie
The positive reviews forBeetlejuice 2also point out that the movie’s humor and dark gags are as hilarious and sharp as the 1988 original. Big-budget comedies can often prove to be divisive in how funny they actually are, butBeetlejuice 2’s reviews largely find the jokes and humor to hold up to the original and match the expectations from the 1988 film’s comedy.Beetlejuice’s humor and, more specifically, Michael Keaton’s campy, hilarious performance are a big part of why the original movie worked, and this element is entertainingly preserved in the sequel.
3Michael Keaton’s Performance As Betelgeuse Is Captivating & Cleverly Utilized
Betelgeuse’s Presence Is Savored In Beetlejuice 2
If the titular character isn’t up to par, then there’s a big problem. However, that isn’t the case withBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, as Michael Keaton is just as charming, disgusting, playful, and energetic as he was in the original. The movie doesn’t work without Keaton making the most of every moment he has on screen as the mischievous Betelgeuse, andBeetlejuice 2ensures that the character shines and proves captivating every time he appears. Additionally,Beetlejuice 2properly balances Betelgeuse’s appearances, cleverly savoring his entrancing chaos and off-the-wall presence for optimal effect, mirroringMichael Keaton’s limited screentime in the originalBeetlejuice.
Michael Keaton only had approximately 17 minutes of screentime in Tim Burton’s 1988Beetlejuicemovie.
2Tim Burton’s Direction & Striking Visuals Are Praised After Recent CGI Complaints
Tim Burton Revives His Practical Effects, Stop-Motion & Handmade Feel
The 2024 sequel’s optimistic reviews also note the charm ofTim Burton’s practical effects inBeetlejuice 2, reverting to this trademark approach to his most revered movies after a notable CGI-heavy era. Starting with 2010’sAlice in Wonderland,Burton’s movies became more frequently criticized for being over-saturated with CGI effectsand digital creations, which some believed diluted the magic and appeal of his distinctive touch.
Beetlejuice 2 Revives A 42-Year-Old Tim Burton Trademark Missing From His Last 3 Movies
Tim Burton has confirmed that a trademark of his filmmaking will be back on display in Beetlejuice 2, which was largely absent from his recent movies.
Burton’s directed movies have often worked best when using handmade, practical, more personable effects and filmmaking styles, which enhance his visual style and nostalgic, gothic flair.Beetlejuicewouldn’t feel likeBeetlejuicewith the CGI gloss of his recent fantastical Disney movies. Thankfully,Burton’s direction ofBeetlejuice 2returns to the effects and striking, scary, and colorful visuals that characterize the uniqueness of the 1988 movie.
1Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Entertainingly Reflects The Cast & Crew’s Passion For The Story & Material
The Cast & Crew’s Love For Beetlejuice & Its World Is Felt In The Movie
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons whyBeetlejuice Beetlejuicehas landed with critics is the palpable nature of the cast and crew’s passion, energy, and joy in the movie.It’s clear that those who broughtBeetlejuice 2to life had a blast doing it, and viewers can feel that energy reflected in the story, cast performances, and all the details in between.Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceseems to be as much of a fun treat for those who made it as the audiences and fans eager to return to this world, which makes its successful execution all the more entertaining and rewarding.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist”, an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they pass into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.
