Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review

As someone who only watched the first 'Beetlejuice' a couple of weeks ago, I feel very fortunate that I didn't have to wait long for a sequel, however, fans of the original have been waiting thirty-six years to see Michael Keaton's iconic character grace the screen again and we all have one question on our mind - does it live up to the original?

I enjoyed watching the first one and can see the reason why it became an iconic 90's film, it is a movie that is made to be watched on a VHS tape. So I couldn't believe my eyes when the iconic music and titles lit up the screen for the sequel, and it felt like a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Seeing these iconic actors' names come onto the screen, in the same font as the original filled me with joy and then ended with the words 'directed by Tim Burton' made me excited for what's to come. 

As a longtime fan of Burton's work, I have been thoroughly disappointed by his recent works that have yet to capture the magic of his earlier film's such as the first Beetlejuice or 'Edward Scissorhands'. 

However, 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' is a golden return to the big screen for Burton and is a solid sequel which not only allows for returning characters to expand on their stories but also has newcomers that shine, such as Jenna Ortega who plays Astrid, Lydia Deets (Winona Ryder's) Daughter who wants nothing to do with her mother. Ortega works with Burton on the popular Netflix Show 'Wednesday' and she fits into this gothic world perfectly, and as Burton has said in many interviews the reason why the sequel has taken so long to make was they were waiting for Ortega to be born as she is perfect casting. 

Michael Keaton's performance as Beetlejuice has become an iconic character and Halloween costume, and his role in the sequel still lives up to the bizarre and downright insane character he created in the first. In the first one, Beetlejuice only appears halfway into the film and is very much a side character. Keaton only agreed to appear in the sequel if he had the same amount of screen time as the first and the character was not dialled down for the 2024 audience, as what he says is not politically correct and that's what makes the first film a typical 90's movie which may not sit well with modern audience's. 

The sequel does not restrain itself on the weird, wacky and wonderful which makes it a perfect follow-up film - it is nostalgic and allows the cinema-goer to truly escape and feel like they are watching a 90's Burton film but made for modern audiences - it achieves the possible and for this, I have to applaud Burton and his team. 

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