Not entirely without merit, the sequel rewards with great practical effects.

Decades after the frightful events that befell the Deetz family in their new home, Lydia and her mother Delia struggle with their new lives. Meanwhile, the underworld trickster known as Beetlejuice has an unwelcome visitor…

Director Tim Burton has had a spotted creative history lately. Some might say it has been too long since one of his films sparked the imagination of his earlier works. Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dark Shadows. All resounding duds. His imaginative ideas never really survived the turn of the millennium. So anticipation for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was extremely reserved.

The director shared feelings of reluctance to return to the 1988 movie with its lead star, Michael Keaton. Both suggesting in interviews that there “never really was a story worth telling.” Well, it is 2024 and apparently a story is now worthwhile. But is it?

The film opens with the classic Danny Elfman score from the first film, accompanied by a tracking camera over a miniature town. So far so good! Part of what made the first Beetlejuice so memorable, was its completely zany visuals and resoundingly practical effects. But as with the movies mentioned above, Burton has been soured by the advent of CGI… scepticism still remains.
We are reunited with Catherine O’Hara’s artist Delia Deetz, and her gothic daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) in a rather difficult relationship since Charles Deetz passed away. Lydia, now living as a paranormal TV presenter-and-spirit medium, is being hounded by her producer, Rory (Justin Theroux) and has not matured into a well adjusted adult. Her teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) is much as Lydia was at that age. But she derides her mother’s indecisiveness and meekness at every turn, their relationship becoming estranged.
While death is high in the air, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) is threatened with the return of his ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci). He needs a quick solution that might require some living allies, before his soul gets sucked out.

Considering the first film is about a couple who die and them having to deal with the bureaucracy of the afterlife… That summary of the sequel is quite overloaded. It doesn’t even summarize everything that happens!

But the practical effects remain true throughout, giving the entire experience a true Burton-esque quality we’ve not seen in years. Set design, costume design, lighting, the score. All of these are excellent. Everyone seems to be having a good time too, especially Catherine O’Hara (last seen in Argylle) who seems to be having an absolute blast. Keaton as well, seems to have returned to the character of Beetlejuice as if he had never left, despite the added winkles. It is surprisingly unpleasant at times; the titular character’s introduction into the mortal world is really gross.

For the most part, it is an enjoyable movie, if a little overstuffed. Astrid’s relationship with a boy was potentially the spark that encouraged a sequel to be made. Yet with everything else included it feels rushed. Monica Bellucci’s character is massively overhyped in the film’s promotional material, with Delores barely featuring. It feels more like the director is just showing off his new wife. Oh wait…

To be honest, Delores is probably the weakest element. Had she been cut, a great deal of time could have been saved to improve the storyline of our human characters. Granted, she has a fun “assembly” scene at the beginning, and her soul-sucking effects are fun. But all of this is quickly forgotten about by the audience and the plot.

Overall, pleasantly surprised with this one. Despite some excess in the writing department, it is a god Burton movie. Really harking back to bygone times with excellent visual flair. One does wonder how necessary it was, though.