One of the more irksome aspects of contemporary film trailers is the tendency to divulge the entire narrative, showcasing the best lines and stunts in a mere two-minute preview. Fortunately, this is not the case with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 critically acclaimed and commercially successful film. The trailer, which has been circulating for what seems like an eternity, adeptly fulfills its role as a teaser, hinting at the myriad delights that await viewers.
In this new installment, we are reintroduced to Lydia (Winona Ryder), the gothic teenager from the first film who has the uncanny ability to see the deceased. Having nearly wed the wildly inappropriate and brash ghost cum bio-exorcist Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) back in 1988, Lydia now hosts a television show called Ghost House, where she explores haunted locations. Her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), is the archetype of a rebellious teenager who firmly believes that her mother cannot possibly see ghosts. This skepticism is exacerbated by the fact that Lydia is unable to see the ghost of her late husband, Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who is also Astrid’s father.
Adding layers to the storyline, Lydia is romantically involved with her show’s producer, Rory (Justin Theroux). However, she remains haunted by Betelgeuse’s seemingly omnipresent spirit, even spotting him in the audience during a taping of her show. The plot thickens when Lydia’s father, Charles, passes away, necessitating the Deetz family—Lydia, her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid—to return to the original haunted house in Winter River. In the afterlife, Betelgeuse is on the run from his nefarious ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), a soul-sucking witch who poisoned him during a plague.
Astrid is discontented with her return to Winter River but finds solace in an unlikely friendship with Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a reclusive youngster who spends his days in a treehouse engrossed in Dostoevsky. The setting is ripe for Halloween shenanigans, with anticipated events including Lydia’s impending nuptials to Rory at the witching hour, witnessed by a select group of influencers and, purportedly, a Netflix executive. Meanwhile, Astrid and Jeremy plan to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters, and Delia busies herself by recording blood-curdling screams for her grief art installation.
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There is much to adore in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. From its vibrant visual design to the electric energy brought by its outstanding cast, it is a film that promises and delivers. Michael Keaton reprises his role as Betelgeuse with the same unhinged brilliance that made the original a classic. Winona Ryder seamlessly evolves from the lost goth girl of her youth to a similarly lost goth mother, while Catherine O’Hara delivers a rollicking performance as the eccentric installation artist Delia.
The new cast members also add a dynamic layer of manic excitement to the film. Monica Bellucci stands out as the malevolent Delores, and Willem Dafoe delivers an exceptional portrayal of Wolf Jackson, a B-movie star who embodies the spirit of a hard-boiled detective straight out of a Dashiell Hammett novel. Danny DeVito also makes a memorable appearance as a janitor who becomes Delores’ first unfortunate victim.
Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, displaying a boundless imagination that is quintessentially Burton-esque. The bureaucratic labyrinth that is the afterlife and the Soul Train to the Great Beyond, a locomotive visual representation of African American music, are just some of the treats in store. The visual storytelling is rich and varied, switching from classic black-and-white to depict the tragic love story of Betelgeuse and Delores, to an animated sequence showing Charles’ gruesome death by shark decapitation, providing viewers with a psychedelic experience that is impossible to forget.
Ultimately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice provides a sweet and satisfying sequel to its beloved predecessor, making the 36-year-long wait entirely worthwhile. With its combination of outstanding performances, visionary visual design, and engaging storyline, it is a film that will entertain both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is currently screening in theaters and is a must-watch for lovers of quirky, imaginative cinema.
Published – September 06, 2024, 05:20 pm IST
English cinema / World cinema
