Beetlejuice Is Back From the Dead but He Should Have Stayed
A Review on the 2024 Beetlejuice Film
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” released in theaters on Sept. 6, 2024, tries to revive Tim Burton’s classic supernatural comedy, but falls flat in its execution. Despite its mix of comedy, fantasy and horror, the movie feels like a forced quirky film, more focused on generating revenue than delivering a fresh sequel. Its convoluted plot, lackluster acting and gorey cinematography truly take away what could have been a standout supernatural film.
The plot of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is tangled in so many subplots that it is difficult to identify what the main storyline is supposed to be. With too much focus spread across Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Rory’s (Justin Theroux) wedding situation, Astrid (Jenna Ortega) and Jeremy’s (Arthur Conti) romance turned kidnapping, Delores’ (Monica Bellucci) revenge, Delia’s (Catherine O’Hara) journey to reunite with her husband Charles (Jeffrey Jones) and Beetlejuice’s (Michael Keaton) attempts to marry Lydia, the film feels like a jumbled mess. In trying to do too much, the movie spreads its focus across too many directions, leaving the viewer confused and disconnected from any central storyline.
In addition, the acting feels notably forced and cringe, despite the film’s impressive roster of famous actors, including Jenna Ortega, Danny Devito and Willem Dafoe. It seems that the filmmakers relied on their high-profile casting to compensate for a lackluster plotline. However, it is worth noting that Michael Keaton delivers once again, bringing an impressive performance that truly captures the eccentric spirit and personality of Beetlejuice. Much like his portrayal in the original film, his return as the iconic character is a major highlight of the movie.
For a PG-13 film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is quite gorey, with its visuals often pushing the boundaries of the rating. The graphic visuals and excessive use of unsettling imagery seem at odds with the film’s lighthearted and quirky tone, detracting away from the overall experience. For example, the aftermath of Charles’ death is depicted with a shocking scene where a shark rips off his head, and whenever he speaks, blood now spurts from his cervical spine. However, the strange cinematography works in the film’s favor, enhancing the surreal, chaotic nature of the Beetlejuice universe. Burton’s world building, with its odd angles, bizarre set pieces and strange visual choices do create an unsettling charm that fits the film’s otherworldly tone. While the excessive gore may at times overwhelm the story, the film’s unusual cinematography is a key element in capturing the peculiarity of this alternate world.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” struggles to deliver a cohesive and engaging film; instead, it is just a chaotic narrative without focus on a main plot. The forced acting fails to bring the film to life, and the over-reliance on shock value and graphic imagery detract from the story’s potential charm. While the bizarre cinematography adds some intrigue, it is not enough to compensate for the film’s structure. Ultimately, the movie is a missed opportunity, where attempts at creating a quirky horror film overshadows the need for a well-crafted and entertaining story.
<Star Rating>
Plot: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Cinematography: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
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