Two Times the “Terror”

Read Time:4 Minute, 2 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
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Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Tim Burton
Writer(s): Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Seth Grahame-Smith
Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: As the curtain rises once again on the bizarre and whimsical underworld of BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, Tim Burton invites us back with a mischievous grin, promising a sequel that’s as eccentric as its predecessor. The film dances on a tightrope between the cherished antics of the original and fresh adventures—spinning its spectral yarn with all the dark charm and manic energy that only Burton could orchestrate.

This time, the spotlight shines on Michael Keaton (even with limited screentime by his own choice,) who slips back into his black-and-white striped suit with the same electrifying presence that made Beetlejuice an icon of the bizarre. Alongside, Winona Ryder, reprising her role as Lydia Deetz, now wields her paranormal prowess as a famed television medium. The plot deepens with the introduction of her daughter Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, whose accidental plunge into the netherworld stirs up more than just spectral dust—it summons the chaos-loving poltergeist himself.

The real magic of BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE lies in its visuals. Shunning the digital gloss of CGI (as much as possible) that saturates modern cinema, Burton opts for the tangible magic of practical effects. The film’s aesthetic is a phantasmagoria of stop-motion wizardry and handcrafted sets that pay homage to the tactile ingenuity of its origin.

But it’s not all ghosts and giggles; the film cleverly weaves in a critique of nostalgia’s commercialization alongside a nod to the absurdity of today's social media landscape. This satirical undercurrent runs through the narrative, enriching the story without overshadowing the ghostly fun. Musical callbacks to tunes like "Day-O" and "MacArthur Park" are cleverly reimagined, bridging the gap between generations and proving that a good beat is immortal.

The film doesn’t escape the gravitational pull of its ambitions, sometimes getting tangled in its multiple subplot curtains. From Lydia’s haunted family dynamics to Beetlejuice’s riotous escapades, the film occasionally loses focus, with the main storyline flickering in and out like a faulty spirit light. The humor, while hit-or-miss, ranges from delightfully dark to borderline excessive, potentially dividing audiences with its macabre mischief. This honestly feels like two films worth of ideas crammed into one. Hopefully, that doesn’t hamper the potential for a third film in the series; after all, we have to have BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE!

Underneath the visual tricks and narrative treats, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE explores the tension between innovation and tradition, mirroring Lydia's challenges and Burton’s reinvention. Danny Elfman's iconic score accentuates this theme, mingling moody melodies with bursts of energetic orchestration that underscore the film’s emotional highs and spectral lows.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE does more than resurrect a beloved story; it conjures a new chapter that stands on its own. It’s a rich story of gothic fantasy woven with the threads of both reverence and reinvention. The film invites a new generation to revel in its magic while offering long-time fans a delightful romp through familiar haunted halls. Tim Burton again proves that the strange and unusual aren’t just welcomed in Beetlejuice—they’re celebrated.

So, pull up a tombstone, whisper his name, and prepare for a sequel that’s unmistakably Beetlejuice—double the fun and double the frights!

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. PICTURES]

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