AlfieSGD

7/10

I believe that pretty much everyone who loved the original “Beetlejuice” will also be able to find something to enjoy in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Because what director Tim Burton serves up here is dripping with nostalgic references. But at the same time, it doesn't come across as a cheap cash grab. The film is far too weird for that and therefore stands out positively from the Hollywood standard pap. The actors also appear as if they were genuinely excited about the movie. Michael Keaton slips effortlessly back into the role of Betelgeuse, and Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara also deliver good performances. Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega blends into the family structure very well. Playing the daughter of Ryder's Lydia is bordering on perfect casting. But I have to praise Burton in particular, who proves after many years of mediocre work that he can still pull off the eccentric dark fantasy look. The latter is particularly noticeable in the numerous scenes in the underworld, which are clearly the highlight of the movie for me. There are also a lot of practical effects used, most of which hit the sweet spot between eerie and hilarious. In any case, the movie never gets boring. The only major negative point for me concerns the villains, besides Betelgeuse. I don't want to reveal exactly who they are, but it's true of both of them that their story seems somehow unfinished. Their first appearance is quite effective, but they are then dropped without much of an impact. For me, this somewhat tarnished the overall result. But overall, I still had a lot of fun.

CinemaSerf

0/10

"Lydia" (Winona Ryder) has made a good living from her ghost-hunting style books and broadcasts much to the sceptical chagrin of her teenage daughter "Astrid" (Jenna Ortega) but they have to try to get on for the funeral of "Charlie" who was married to their mother/grandmother "Delia" (Catherine O'Hara). Meantime, in the underworld "Delores" (Monica Belluci) has quite literally stapled herself back together and is bent on reuniting with her eponymous husband (Michael Keaton) but he's les than enthusiastic at the prospect. Luckily, the young "Astrid" meets the handsome "Jeremy" (Arthur Conti) and before we know it, she has opened a portal to the nether world that soon has her mother racing around to rescue her from eternal damnation whilst the opportunistic stripey fellow tries to use that predicament to keep himself from his ruthless spouse who is leaving an increasingly gruesome trail of carnage for TV detective "Wolf" (Willem Dafoe) to sort out. There are plenty of enjoyable enough shenanigans going on as this quickly paced film knits these threads together, but somehow I found it all just a bit too flat. Like an "Addams Family" film that's over-written and doesn't feature anything like enough of Keaton or Dafoe and features way too much of Ortega's typically teenage character whom Hades probably wouldn't have wanted. It does rally well at the end with help from a big cake and the dulcet tones Richard Harris - great to hear that with cinema sound again, but aside from a characterful effort from O'Hara this didn't really want me saying his name once let alone thrice. It's fine but hasn't much spark.

griggs79

0/10

Having recently watched the original in anticipation of this film, I was struck by just how lean it was. In comparison, this felt bloated with too many subplots that lead nowhere.

kevin2019

0/10

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is wise not to take any liberties with the already well established traits of some characters. Lydia Deetz is a case in point. She now hosts a television show devoted to all things paranormal. This film also easily recreates the look of the original and who would have ever believed such a thing was even possible 36 years after "Beetlejuice" was first unleashed upon unsuspecting audiences back in 1988. This superior sequel is fast paced fun from the very start and it has plenty to say for itself in the most colourful and typically crazy terms imaginable. The bizarre visual effects are splendid, the recreation of the surreal afterlife is marvellous, and it all adds up to an impressive and above all a highly recommended film.

Manuel São Bento

0/10

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/beetlejuice-beetlejuice-review-a-nostalgic-magical-return-with-ambitious-missteps/ "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice captures the original's magic but stumbles over its narrative ambition. Tim Burton manages to maintain the visual charm and peculiar atmosphere that captivated so many viewers, with the cast fully embodying both new and classic characters. However, the narrative structure, overloaded with characters and subplots, leads to some disenchantment, and the dance sequences don't quite reach the level of its predecessors. That said, there's still lots of joy and fun in reuniting with Betelgeuse and the bizarre world he inhabits, as well as enjoying Danny Elfman's unforgettable score. Excellent for watching with the family!" Rating: B-