Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Sequel: A Gory and Fun Ride
CHENNAI: Tim Burton, the master of camp horror, made a triumphant return to the big leagues with his 1988 hit “Beetlejuice.” This film managed to straddle the line between comedy and the macabre, propelling Burton into the limelight.
Fast forward to the now-concluded Venice Film Festival, where Burton brought back the iconic characters in the sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” starring headlining names like Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega.
One of the sequel’s standout scenes features Italian icon Monica Bellucci as Delores the ghost, portrayed as cut into pieces and putting herself back together with a stapler. She then proceeds to suck the souls of the deceased, all set to the tune of the Bee Gees’ “Tragedy.” It’s gory, it’s fun, and it’s quintessentially Tim Burton.
The movie kicks off with a quirky setup reminiscent of a chess game, with the characters strategically placed. The story follows Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz, now a psychic mediator with her own paranormal TV show.
Lydia’s supernatural gifts are dismissed by her daughter Astrid (Ortega), who believes her mother’s visions are mere fantasies. Catherine O’Hara returns as Lydia’s self-absorbed stepmother, adding to the family dynamic.
While Michael Keaton reprises his role as Beetlejuice, his performance lacks the same eccentricity and charm as in the original film. The sequel aims to evoke nostalgia for Burton fans during the Halloween season.
However, the movie falls short of capturing the energy and spirit of the 1988 classic. It feels lackluster, uninspired, and devoid of the magic that made the original so beloved.