3.0 out of 5 star rating
“Delores, the dismayed demon spouse played by Monica Bellucci, exclaims ‘Where is Beetlejuice?’ in the delightful follow-up to Tim Burton’s 1988 fantasy-comedy film.”
Indeed, he remains in the realm of the afterlife, persistently attempting to persuade Lydia Deetz, portrayed by Winona Ryder, to marry him so he can transition to the other side. Once again, Michael Keaton dons his striped black-and-white attire as ‘The Juice’ in a film that successfully captures the eerie essence of the original.
Currently, Lydia serves as the host for the paranormal television series titled ‘Ghost House’. However, her teenager daughter Astrid, who is more skeptical about such phenomena played by Jenna Ortega, finds it hard to accept these supernatural beliefs.
As a film enthusiast, I must confess, the eerie visions of Beetlejuice are sending shivers down my spine, especially as we find ourselves once more by Winter River. The town, usually so peaceful and tranquil, has taken on an unsettling air as we gather here for the funeral of my father Charles – a loss that has left my mother Delia (Catherine O’Hara) in a state of profound sorrow.
Accompanied by her boyfriend-manager, Lydia, and Astrid both find themselves harboring romantic feelings. This occurs when they encounter Jeremy, who, contrary to his ordinary appearance, hides a more complex side.
Of course, the film doesn’t truly come alive until Beetlejuice properly appears – yes, you still have to say his name three times to summon him. Armed with a battery of quips, Keaton relishes the return, not least when he mimes a rendition of Richard Marx’s eternal power ballad ‘Right Here Waiting’.
Making its debut as the inaugural film at this year’s Venice Film Festival, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice showcases an eccentric and somewhat superficial vibe. In the role of Wolf Jackson, a deceased actor whose brain is partially visible on his skull, we find Willem Dafoe, renowned for portraying tough cops. However, Wolf’s expository role feels overly contrived, potentially underutilizing Dafoe’s considerable acting abilities.
Still, there are some delicious moments – including a scene where a group of social media influencers get sucked into their phones. The highlight, perhaps, has to be Delores’s entrance.
In a twist of events, Beetlejuice’s former spouse is bent on retaliation against him. However, before she can enact her vengeance, she must gather all the fragments of her dismembered body, painstakingly joining them together while the strains of the Bee Gees’ Tragedy fill the air. This formidable entity, known as a soul-sucker, is best avoided at all costs, for she is no ordinary adversary.
Set during the spooky season of Halloween, the screenplay penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar features a lot of New Age terminology, aligning well since it appears that all characters are constantly undergoing therapy.
The movie is visually captivating, with Mark Scruton’s sets standing out particularly well on screen. It includes stop-motion animated sequences, one of which portrays Charles’ demise during his global voyage, and there’s also a monochrome film-within-a-film with subtitles.
Similar to the first version, there are some peculiar figures in the afterlife – from men sporting shrunken heads to a surfer and his severed board, courtesy of a shark attack (“dude!” as he fittingly exclaims). Massive Sandworms, while not as fearsome as those in Dune, dominate the landscape. There are also some unexpected sequences, such as a lively Soul Train with dancers dressed in 70’s fashion guiding people towards what’s known as The Great Beyond.
In a tale that explores relationships between moms and their girls, as well as spouses, Beetlejuice stands out visually, although it might not necessarily be considered Tim Burton’s top work in terms of quality.
In the Netflix series Wednesday, directed by Burton, the duo of Ryder and Ortega work well together on screen, with their relationship being the main driving force of the storyline. Although there could have been a greater emphasis on Beetlejuice in the script, Michael Keaton’s charismatic portrayal more than compensates for it.
If nothing else, it’ll give you some good ideas for Halloween costumes this October.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is released in UK cinemas on Friday 6th September.
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2024-08-28 21:04