Audiences around the world flocked to theaters to see Michael Keaton's stunning return as the gruff, troublemaking villain in Tim Burton's blockbuster. Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceThirty-four years later, the unforgettable character is back and bigger than ever, as Keaton reunites with original movie stars Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara in the sequel to the critically acclaimed 1988 classic. The sequel focuses on a now-adult Lydia Deetz as she grapples with her supernatural gifts while trying to raise her anxious teenage daughter Astrid and deal with the shocking death of her father Charles.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The film has dominated the box office since its release on September 6, 2024, already grossing over $153 million worldwide and receiving widespread acclaim and appreciation from fans and critics alike. Fans of the original 80s masterpiece can’t get enough of seeing Keaton back as Beetlejuice, as well as seeing Ryder and O’Hara team up on screen once again, with moviegoers looking for nostalgia and comfort in the sequel. Let’s take a look at what makes the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Longtime fans should watch it.
Catherine O'Hara shines as Delia Dietz.
The greatest aspect of the long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice He was Catherine O'Hara's stunning performance as Delia Dietzwhere the actress really managed to steal the show and deliver a wonderful and funny performance as Lydia's eccentric stepmother. The character was fleshed out in the horror comedy and given some time to shine, finally getting the chance to interact more with the evil and demonic Beetlejuice, much to the delight of fans.
It was funny and entertaining to see Delia summon Beetlejuice in the afterlife waiting room and see her not being afraid of the evil demon but rather being somewhat disturbed by his presence. I watched her come into her own and develop a fiery attitude toward the supernatural.Delia provided insightful commentary to Lydia, repeatedly reminding her stepdaughter that, like Astrid, she was also a rebellious, anxious teenager who enjoyed making her life miserable with her behavior. The duo's interactions were complete as Delia served as a sounding board for the nervous Lydia and provided some much-needed guidance and insight into Astrid's behavior.
O'Hara seems to have harnessed the dramatic moves and energy of her other fan-favorite character, Moira Rose (from the beloved sitcom Khor Sheet), where Delia was hilarious as she screamed and cried while trying to capture her grief on camera for an art project. When Delia decided to take matters into her own hands and announce to Astrid at her boarding school that her grandfather Charles had died, her theatrics were on full display. Moviegoers also enjoyed seeing Delia's obvious disdain for Lydia's boyfriend, Rory, and her cheeky remarks and subtle comments about their impending marriage were hilarious. Ohara's performance in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The film is a must-see for fans of Burton's original..
Burton delivers a heavy dose of nostalgia.
Aside from O'Hara's brilliant performance in the much-hyped film, fans were thrilled that the sequel managed to capture the heart and soul of the original and not try to be anything other than what it was. The 1988 classic had a budget of $15 million, with only $1 million going toward visual effects, and director Tim Burton decided to use stop-motion and puppetry to mimic the B-movie style and deliberately make the effects look cheesy and fake. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Its budget was much larger than $100 million and Burton could do his best with CGI and special effects, But instead he chose to remain faithful to the essence of the original..
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Burton pays homage to many 1980s elements, such as the choir singing Harry Belafonte's famous tune “Day-O” at Charles' funeral. Similarly, Burton makes sure to introduce a bold, over-the-top musical number at the film's climax, as the Beetlejuice and the Dietz Girls burst into song and perform a passionate version of Richard Harris's “Macarthur Park” at Delia's wedding. The opening shot of the sequel also features the camera panning over the small town of Winter River, Connecticut, which is also a microcosm of the community in Maitland.
Other Easter eggs and popular references in the follow-up include the appearance of Guide to the Recently DeceasedLydia is resplendent in her famous red wedding dress when Beetlejuice tries to marry her again, plus the beloved character Bob returns with his shrunken head and giant “sandworms” in the wasteland. Part of the reason for this is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The film was a worldwide success due to its nostalgia factor, with fans feeling as though the film represented a return to form for Burton. cbc radioIn a positive review of the film, they declared: “There's something comforting about seeing Tim Burton exorcise his demons, bring everyone back together and conjure up some of the warmth that was in the original film.”
Defoe's Ghost Detective Causes a Huge Stir
While die-hard fans were thrilled to see Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara reprise their memorable roles, Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceThe addition of the brilliant Willem Dafoe and his character Wolf Jackson in the sequel was a brilliant decision by both Burton and the studio. Jackson is a determined ghost investigator who was a B-movie action star when he was alive and was tragically killed in an accident during filming, and is now in charge of investigating crimes in the afterlife. He tries to clean up the big mess caused by Beetlejuice, the Dietz family, and Dolores, and does so with movie star-like dramatic flair.
Jackson delivers impassioned speeches and embraces his training and experience as an actor as he pursues the criminals causing chaos, and he playfully reads from cue cards as he prepares and motivates his men to find Lydia and Beetlejuice. It was fun to see Jackson ask Astrid and Lydia if they wanted to take a quick photo of him as he prepared to capture the pesky ghost, and it was a pleasure to see the veteran star embrace his silly and playful side and deliver a memorable performance in the film.
Monica Bellucci was also wickedly good in her role as Delores.as they wander the afterlife and Earth in search of Beetlejuice and leave death and destruction in their wake; both new characters add to the charm and whimsy of the popular sequel. With such a well-rounded cast and Burton's distinctive style and touch on full display, it's no wonder that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice It took the world by storm and emerged as a critically and commercially certified knockout and a worthy follow-up to the original 80s classic. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Currently available to watch in theaters.