SPOILERS AHEAD!
The sequel stays true to Tim Burton’s classic style, using eccentricity and puppetry to create a gorey and lively afterlife. To prepare for the second movie, I revisited the first movie.
It is clear that the filmmakers paid homage to the original with its eerie style and unique plot. The spookiness created with the plot twists left my jaw ajar on multiple occasions during the film.
The film’s color palette enhanced its mystical aesthetic. The use of apple and “snot” greens, deep purples, vibrant reds and dark tones created a whimsical atmosphere.
The costumes of the characters had a gothic style, with the original colors and textures given a weathered, aged appearance to convey time passing.
Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton reprise their iconic roles from the original 1988 film.
Lydia returns as a single mother with a daughter named Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Lydia is quirky and indecisive, while her daughter is grounded and steadfast. As the movie progresses, this contrast in their personalities gradually fades as their mother-daughter conflict transforms into a strong bond.
The absence of the father figures allowed the powerful bonds of female generational love to shine through.
Delia’s sudden death by snake bite was a shock, but witnessing the women come together in the end to defeat Beetlejuice and his ex-wife was a passionate moment. Their unwavering support for one another, despite the challenges and deaths faced, showed the strength of their familial connection.
Towards the end of the film, the plot becomes increasingly complex and unpredictable. Some key moments included Rory’s betrayal, the influencers’ unsettling suction into their phones, the cast dancing around a ginormous cake to “MacArthur Park” by Jimmy Webb and the unexpected appearance of the sandworm. The rapid succession of twists and turns kept me engaged until the very last second of the movie.
A few critiques I would offer are that I would have enjoyed seeing Bob come back to life after having his soul cruelly sucked out by Delores. It was not until his tragic demise that I appreciated Bob’s subtle impact on the film.
I also think that an appearance from Barbara and Adam would have added a nostalgic sense of familiarity for longtime fans of “Beetlejuice”.
I understand, however, why Burton opted to move in a different direction.
As he stated in an interview with “People,” “I think the thing was, for me I didn’t want to just tick any boxes. So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else.”
If you have the opportunity to watch it on the big screen, I would definitely recommend the entertaining cinematic experience.
The characters, production design and turn of events encountered throughout the story are what make this journey remarkable.
In this sequel, Tim Burton reminds us that we can find hope and connection in even the most abnormal of stories.
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