Tim Burton’s 1989 breakout cult-classic Beetlejuice remains a testament to the director’s imagination for its colorful cast of characters, stylized sense of humor, and timeless practical effects. Now, Burton pulls deep from the bag of tricks that started it all for a sequel that makes for a great continuation – even with some glaring faults. 

The film, lovingly titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reunites fans with the Deetz family as they become tangled with demonic trickster Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) again after some paranormal obstacles present themselves. Frankly, it’s wild how quickly Burton and the cast recapture the magic of the original. Right as you catch up with Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Delia (Catherine O’Hara), you feel the spark of their characters reignite. Ryder evokes Lydia’s dormant goth vibes perfectly while still delivering her distinct brand of weirdness that makes for a delightful motherly turn for the character. O’Hara is equally as fun in how she cranks up the camp of Delia’s artistic vision. She effortlessly spews funny lines and totally vibes with every weird thing Burton throws her ways. Fans will be thrilled with everything Ryder and O’Hara bring and they’re a consistent joy to see in this world again. 

As for the new characters, they’re hit and miss. Ortega, unsurprisingly, works with Burton’s vision flawlessly, but is relatively underwhelming. She’s a fun addition and does have an intriguing romance storyline with a cool twist, but Astrid is too bland. It’s one of Ortega’s most barren roles to date, and she gets outshined far too easily. Willem Dafoe is also a solid inclusion as a dead detective trying to solve crimes and look cool. He’s got funny one-liners, a great character design, and Dafoe’s personality fits perfectly into this world. Unfortunately, other characters – like Lydia’s boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroex) and Betelgeuse’s vengeful ex Delores (Monica Belluci) – are unbearably boring and obnoxious. The performances aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re either so terribly unfunny or under-developed that you groan when they’re on-screen. 

But, let’s not bury the lede. Keaton’s reprisal of Betelgeuse is THE star of the show without question. Keaton’s original performance remains one of the most iconic “break from the norm” roles of all-time, and his work in this sequel shows us why. He commands the screen with authority and it’s always fun to see Betelgeuse take control of the storytelling because of Keaton’s wild personality. He excels with all the crude jokes, grinning villainy, and fast-talking persona of Betelgeuse in every scene, and is an absolute hoot from start to finish. He’s THE main reason Beetlejuice Beetlejuice effectively matches the vibes of the original, and this sequel cements why Keaton is the only person who can bring this character to life in his vilest form.  

Along with Keaton, Burton also shines excellently through some return to roots craftsmanship that everyone – fans and newbies alike – will fully enjoy. The return to practical effects feels so overdue for Burton, and he goes all-out in creating some stunning visuals. The set and character designs are flawless in how they embody Burton’s signature, twisted vision of horror aesthetic. It’s awesome that this sequel has the same type of mature edge as the original since it allows Betelgeuse to swear and pull off gut-spilling actions. Some of the effects – like Dolores sucking the souls out of her victims – look amazing because they’re practical. Plus, the stylistic elements of the storytelling are genuinely stunning and elevate the experience dramatically. Old-school Burton is back baby, and better than ever.

The only really major issue with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is honestly its story simply because it’s overstuffed and undercooked. Overall, the story is fine for a sequel and actually showcases some strong heart with its characters. Lydia and Delia certainly have more powerful, emotional arcs than expected, and really make the film’s final act have some genuinely tender moments audiences will love. Also, whenever Betelgeuse or his Bob minions are on-screen, they’re a complete joy. Betelgeuse has so many memorable story moments this time around and often impacts the story in entertaining ways – whether it’s through captivating musical numbers or swift story turns. Plus, it’s fun to see the lore expand more and have longer moments in the afterlife to really let Burton’s imagination cook. But this narrative is often undercut by having too many plot threads happening at once. 

There’s just too much going on throughout Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and most of it is so pointless or secondary that it probably should’ve just been cut out. The ending sequence, in particular, feels like it should’ve been lobbed off as it just creates an unsatisfyingly bonkers conclusion and relies too much on fakeouts. Not to mention, the abundance of storylines clogs up the pacing terribly – ultimately making an under-2 hour movie feel like double the length. 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice won’t have the same type of strong legacy as its predecessor since it’s not as sharp nor as tight in its script and development. But man, the trip back to Burton’s most wild worlds is a treat for everyone this Halloween – especially when Keaton is at his best as Betelgeuse and Burton’s imagination is more delightfully twisted than ever. 

Watch the Trailer Here: