Beetlejuice, released in 1988 became one of the most influential comedy horror films of all time. Receiving widespread acclaim and becoming the 10th-highest-grossing movie in 1988 following its release, it left many hoping for a sequel throughout the years. With rumors of a sequel coming about every so often, it was only this year that fans’ dreams came true. And thus, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was born.
Let’s take a trip back to 1988, to the cinema on March 30th. Beetlejuice is premiering across the nation and people are loving it, displaying its lighthearted whimsy and gothic mood it quickly became a family favorite and a staple in the blend between comedy and horror. Viewers are quickly cued into the strangeness of the main characters, Barbara and Adam Maitland, a haunting couple who get rather friendly with the new tenants in their home.
Now, over 30 years later we’ve been given a sequel. And I find it important to acknowledge the sincerity of the new Beetlejuice, starring many of the same actors and staying true to director Tim Burton’s visions by continuing Burton’s tradition of having Danny Elfman–of the band Oingo Boingo–scoring the film. Despite this, I have many thoughts on this sequel…it sucks.
Being completely transparent, I had low expectations going into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice which made for an easier landing after seeing what I saw. With over-the- top special effects, the sequel managed to take all of the best pieces of the original and completely ruin them. Even with familiar faces like Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice managed to dig its own grave so deep, not even Beetlejuice could’ve come back from it; it’s a sellout film.
I’ve found that the most important element from the first Beetlejuice compared to the second one is its inability to take itself seriously. In a campy tone, the original film was able to tell a gothic tale whilst maintaining a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The reboot…not so much. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice truly lost the plot. This could be blamed on the amount of time that has passed since the first film, but I think that’s a cheap excuse. The problem was how serious the sequel took itself. Instead of being campy, it was tacky.
One of the things my peers have complained about the most is actress Jenna Ortega’s role in the film. With her role being the daughter of our beloved Lydia Deetz, her place in the film felt absolutely pointless and acted as more of an opportunity for filler scenes than anything else. It’s like they didn’t even give Ortega a chance, which saddened me as I’ve seen what she’s capable of in the world of horror and comedy.
All in all, I’ve decided that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the final piece of evidence I needed to see that in today’s world, a bottomless budget and the access to any and all technology marks the end of good Hollywood cinema.
