The reviews for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are in, and the Tim Burton sequel’s “Certified Fresh” 78% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes indicates a resounding success for the filmmaker. Arriving over 36 years after the 1988 Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s long-awaited follow-up explores the new and remaining members of the Deetz family tree as 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 2 greatly 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 original Beetlejuice’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 in Beetlejuice 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.
10 Beetlejuice 2’s Story Has More Emotional Depth Than The Original
Critics Cite The Movie’s Emotional Narrative As A Reason For Its Success
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Its story is among the biggest reasons for Beetlejuice 2’s positive critical response. Diving further into the personal conflicts, familial dynamic, and struggles of the Deetz family, the sequel has more 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.
Related 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 to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s ramifications of and reflections on death, grief, and purpose, the sequel 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 the 1988 Beetlejuice movie’s ending of Betelgeuse being sent back to the afterlife, but Burton takes the sequel in a different, fresh direction. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has 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.
9 Beetlejuice 2 Is An Extremely Fun Viewing Experience
Beetlejuice 2 Is An Entertaining Blast To Watch
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One of the most frequent reasons cited for Beetlejuice 2’s positive reviews is that the movie is extremely entertaining. From start to finish, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice provides 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.
Related 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, the majority of critics agree that Beetlejuice 2 is enjoyable, funny, and, overall, a good time at the movies. Burton stays true to Michael Keaton’s iconic “It’s showtime!” Beetlejuice quote, putting on a fantastical, wacky, and energetic show for audiences. It’s clear that the cast and crew had a blast putting Beetlejuice Beetlejuice together, and that passion and joy is translated into the movie for viewers to experience on the other side.
8 Beetlejuice 2 Is Authentic To Tim Burton’s Original Movie
The Sequel Holds Up To The Original World & Characters
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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 2 doesn’t make this mistake, instead offering an authentic return while maintaining Beetlejuice’s signature humor, wacky horror elements, boundary-pushing effects and wit, and practical approach. Beetlejuice 2 doesn’t feel like a parody of the 1988 original and 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 many Beetlejuice fans loved about the first movie.
7 Beetlejuice 2’s Cast Performances Are Strong & Compelling (Especially Catherine O’Hara)
Beetlejuice 2’s Actors Have Great Chemistry & Comedic Timing
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The praise for Beetlejuice 2 has also focused on the performances by the cast, with Delia Deetz actress Catherine O’Hara being a standout. The original Beetlejuice movie’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 between Adam and Barbara Maitland, the Deetzes, Betelgeuse, and company was palpable in Beetlejuice, and the same is true for the returning and new cast and characters in Beetlejuice 2.
|
Beetlejuice 2 Character |
Actor |
|---|---|
|
Betelgeuse |
Michael Keaton |
|
Lydia Deetz |
Winona Ryder |
|
Delia Deetz |
Catherine O’Hara |
|
Astrid Deetz |
Jenna Ortega |
|
Rory |
Justin Theroux |
|
Delores |
Monica Bellucci |
|
Wolf Jackson |
Willem Dafoe |
Catherine O’Hara’s return as Delia Deetz has been a big standout in Beetlejuice 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 in Beetlejuice 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 to teenage 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 to Beetlejuice without Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz, whose chemistry and dark wit remain pristine.
6 Tim 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
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A major reason for the celebration of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the notion that it brings Tim Burton back to the filmmaking approach of his early filmmaking career. Beetlejuice 2’s stellar reviews and box office success return him to the triumphs of his heyday, which was defined by his gothic, handmade, outcast-centered, dark and wacky stories. From Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands to Batman and Ed 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 outings like Alice in Wonderland, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Dumbo.
The sequel brings Tim Burton back to the “Tim Burton” style that defined his breakout and early popularity.
Beetlejuice 2 brings Burton back to his fantastical and ambitious yet more concise and unique tales of this era. The way that Burton approaches the creation and style of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the same way that he handled the original Beetlejuice, 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 to Beetlejuice’s world and characters.
5 Beetlejuice 2 Fantastically Expands On Its Spooky Afterlife & Worldbuilding
Beetlejuice 2 Has Plenty Of Exciting Additions To The Iconic Afterlife
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Also highly praised by critics in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s reviews is the sequel’s expansion on the original movie’s afterlife and worldbuilding. Beetlejuice 2 explores 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.
4 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Humor Is Just As Sharp As The 1988 Original
Beetlejuice 2’s Wit Mirrors The Comedy Of The First Movie
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The positive reviews for Beetlejuice 2 also 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, but Beetlejuice 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.
3 Michael Keaton’s Performance As Betelgeuse Is Captivating & Cleverly Utilized
Betelgeuse’s Presence Is Savored In Beetlejuice 2
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If the titular character isn’t up to par, then there’s a big problem. However, that isn’t the case with Beetlejuice 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, and Beetlejuice 2 ensures that the character shines and proves captivating every time he appears. Additionally, Beetlejuice 2 properly balances Betelgeuse’s appearances, cleverly savoring his entrancing chaos and off-the-wall presence for optimal effect, mirroring Michael Keaton’s limited screentime in the original Beetlejuice.
Michael Keaton only had approximately 17 minutes of screentime in Tim Burton’s 1988
Beetlejuice
movie.
2 Tim Burton’s Direction & Striking Visuals Are Praised After Recent CGI Complaints
Tim Burton Revives His Practical Effects, Stop-Motion & Handmade Feel
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The 2024 sequel’s optimistic reviews also note the charm of Tim Burton’s practical effects in Beetlejuice 2, reverting to this trademark approach to his most revered movies after a notable CGI-heavy era. Starting with 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, Burton’s movies became more frequently criticized for being over-saturated with CGI effects and digital creations, which some believed diluted the magic and appeal of his distinctive touch.
Related 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. Beetlejuice wouldn’t feel like Beetlejuice with the CGI gloss of his recent fantastical Disney movies. Thankfully, Burton’s direction of Beetlejuice 2 returns to the effects and striking, scary, and colorful visuals that characterize the uniqueness of the 1988 movie.
1 Beetlejuice 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
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Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has 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 brought Beetlejuice 2 to 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 Beetlejuice seems 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.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
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 2
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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.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice 2