Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review

“Someone left the cake out in the rain

I don't think that I can take it

'Cause it took so long to bake it

And I'll never have that recipe again"

— lyrics of “Macarthur Park”

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is the long-awaited sequel to the original 1988 classic, bringing back most of the original cast, and yes, Tim Burton himself. Now, we all know Burton’s name—he’s the mastermind behind "Batman Returns," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Sweeney Todd," just to name a few. His style is iconic, so much so that even films he didn’t direct, like "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Coraline," are often mistakenly attributed to him. But let's be honest, his recent work hasn't quite hit the mark. Remember "Dumbo"? Yeah, me neither.

For a while, it seemed like Burton had lost his touch, churning out films that felt more like parodies of his earlier masterpieces. I grew up obsessed with the original "Beetlejuice," and I desperately wanted that old Burton magic back—the same way people yearn for the old Kanye.

Fast forward to 2024, and somehow, Beetlejuice is back from the grave. This sequel, cheekily titled "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," reunites Burton with his old crew—Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara—and even throws Jenna Ortega into the mix, fresh off her success as Wednesday Addams in Burton’s Netflix hit. The result? A film that feels like a resurrection, bursting with dirty jokes, fantastic sets, practical effects, and that signature Burton color palette. He’s back, baby!

From the moment I joined the line at the theater, surrounded by fans dressed in black and stripes, I knew I was in for something special. The crowd was electric, cheering for every familiar face and laughing at every joke. By the time the credits rolled, the applause was thunderous. Burton is at his best when he keeps things simple, letting the visuals and gags take center stage. And this film strikes that perfect balance.

Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, the OG goth girl, though it's hard to tell if she’s giving it her all or just riding the wave of her current acting style—wide-eyed and bewildered. Jenna Ortega plays her daughter, Astrid, fitting seamlessly into Burton’s world with her big, expressive eyes and dark, sarcastic demeanor. Let’s be real, Burton isn’t known for his diverse casting, so Ortega’s presence is a refreshing change.

Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia Deetz, now a visual artist as hilariously pretentious as ever. New faces include Justin Theroux as Rory, Lydia’s therapy-speak-spouting love interest, and the stunning Monica Bellucci as Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex, looking for a reconciliation. Willem Dafoe also makes an appearance as Wolf Jackson, an afterlife detective who probably had more scenes before the whole "Rust" movie tragedy. He was the weakest part of the movie for me, I would have loved to see a performer like Wesley Snipes, Michael Jai White, or Idris Elba in the role. Dafoe didn’t give enough camp. Words I thought I’d never say. But with Burton’s hiring record, I can only dream.

One notable absence is Jeffrey Jones, who played Charles Deetz in the original. His exclusion is understandable, given his 2002 arrest, but the film finds a clever (and gruesome) way to work around it.

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" brings back everything we loved about Burton in the ‘90s. It’s a love letter to the offbeat, the morbid, and the hilariously weird—basically, people like me. My guess? This movie is going to inspire some killer Halloween costumes, make BeetleBaby the must-have toy of the season, and maybe even get "MacArthur Park" back on the charts.

And who knows? Maybe we’ll be saying "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" in theaters soon enough.

4/5 Beetles