It’s Showtime: Tim Burton Resurrects Beetlejuice Franchise
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice makes its return and this is how it came out.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice marks the surprising return of its titular zany demon, and beyond that, it brings back seminal oddball creator Tim Burton to his signature style of filmmaking. Even given his notoriety for wacky and out-there outings, this is one of his wildest and most unhinged offerings. The movie takes any and all expectations of what can happen and proceeds to blow them up in a way that’s simultaneously grotesque and charming, before dancing on the ruins.
Bringing back some interesting characters
Tim Burton and Michael Keaton are back in full force for this sequel, and it’s so much more than just a nostalgic playback of old beats. It seems that the entire shebang thrives on chaos. It’s important to understand that this movie first and foremost is a comedy. Every scene feels like it was made with the mindset of, “what is the wackiest thing that can happen next?” The winding set designs and funky music choices speak to this chaos, consistently crescendoing into the next silly bit.
The best quality of this movie is how unabashedly proud and boisterous it is of the randomness. Some viewers who are not used to this kind of frantic, off-the-cuff pacing may feel bloated by the pure excess of it all, whereas many others who crave the randomness will eat all of it up and still be asking for seconds (or a third movie maybe). Given the multiple layers of gags, the audience will surely leave with a belly full of laughs.
The Mother-Daughter Dynamic: The Balance
The story once again follows the hijinks, shenanigans, and drama of the Deetz family. Specifically, it follows three generations of women trying to find their place in life and afterlife. Winona Ryder once more portrays ghost-seeing Lydia, but the character is now also a mother to Jenna Ortega’s Astrid. Catherine O’ Hara is also back and sassy as ever as Delia, now a grandmother. The heart of the movie is these women trying to reconcile their differences while coping with loss, and it’s tragic, comedic, heartwarming elements all at once.
What sets this dynamic apart from other popular dysfunctional families is the role reversal of second-hand embarrassment. Astrid is indeed an angsty teenager, but Jenna goes against what would be expected type-casting of a dark loner to instead a (mostly) normal and nerdy girl who just wants to move on. Astrid plays the “straight man” to her mother Lydia who is still a goth weirdo, but Lydia is (in)famous amongst both the living and the dead. The film reminds the audience that good mothers will always be there to save their kids and that good kids will naturally humble their mothers. And grandmothers will do whatever they want. It’s a refreshing take on mother-daughter drama, and it’s perfectly endearing and awkward.
Unique family aspects reflecting Tim Burton’s adjustment
The awkwardness of the Deetz’ unique family dynamic is likewise what sustains the kind of comedy that this film is going for. For a movie that has a mostly older cast, the humor feels very young. Tim Burton’s mixture of dry wit and slapstick is all still here, but this movie is truly unhinged. It’s difficult to quantify for those who aren’t aware, but so much of this movie feels like hyperactive GenZ tomfoolery. Much like how Lydia is trying to fit in with how the world is now, it’s as if that character is a surrogate for what Tim Burton is trying to accomplish here.
Changing the humor for a younger audience
His style is dialed up to 11, as if it is trying to match the energy of a younger audience. The role reversal is what sells it. The jokes are already funny on their own, but what makes them work is seeing these older actors act like teenagers who had too many energy drinks. And likewise, it’s these older characters that are immature and too caught up in their image and social media.
This movie could be what introduces a new generation to Tim Burton, but it could also be that the film is introducing old fans to his take on modern humor. In an appropriately strange way, the irreverence towards everything is an expression of love both between characters and from the filmmakers to the audience.
Enjoying a family horror-humor movie
It’s been a long while since Tim Burton’s oddness has graced the big screen, and it makes a gloriously fun and charming comeback here. No one makes the creepy and unsettling as charming and comfy as he does. Although he’s getting up there in age, hopefully, this reinvigorated style of his will lead to more experimental films. As for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, no review or reaction can fully prepare for a first viewing of this madness.
It’s a gift to longtime fans, and it’s proof that no one is ever too old to act young. It’s a gateway for fans who are now parents to share their inner child with their kids, and it’s a way for kids to share with their parents the kind of gags that they’re always giggling about in the corner. There will be some mothers who will feel called out and daughters who will feel vindicated. All in all, it’s a celebration of the undying awkwardness of family.
written by Miguel Fermin
More movie reviews to help you decide what to watch?
Look Back: The Anime Movie That Models How Kids Deal With Life
Kira Balinger And LA Santos’ Biggest Lesson After Doing Maple Leaf Dreams
10 Lessons The Boy and The Heron Teaches About Grief and Losing Loved Ones
