First Reactions to Beetlejuice 2 Call It ‘a Total Delight’

As a die-hard fan of Tim Burton’s whimsical and macabre universe, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice since the day I first saw the original back in 1988. The news of its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival has sent me into a frenzy!


This week, Tim Burton’s long-anticipated follow-up to his iconic 1988 horror-comedy “Beetlejuice” finally hits US theaters on Friday. However, the movie premiered globally at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, August 28th. Now, as we eagerly await its release, early responses to the “Beetlejuice” sequel have been overwhelmingly positive!

Critics share strong reactions to Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

The initial critical response is quite promising for Tim’s Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. It takes the audience back to Winter River, Connecticut, in a live-action feature for the first time in 36 years.

As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t help but be pleasantly taken aback when Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press declared the sequel to be an absolute joy. On my social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), I expressed my feelings by saying, “Who would have thought Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could be a total delight? It’s zany, it’s weird, and it’s downright fun!”

On X, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff shared his thoughts about the original film being one of his all-time favorites. He further expressed that this new installment feels like a delightful return to that world. Nemiroff also appreciated the acting, particularly Michael Keaton’s consistent performance and the heartwarming mother-daughter storyline between Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega, which he believes gives the movie its emotional core.

As a devoted admirer, I echo Nemiroff’s sentiments: The idea behind Willem Dafoe’s character, an actor turned cop in the afterlife, was simply captivating. I found myself immersed and entertained by all performances, but Catherine O’Hara truly shone. Her portrayal was nothing short of extraordinary, a pure embodiment of brilliance within this role and in this world.

David Rooney, in a review for The Hollywood Reporter, highly praised Burton, who was the director of the film. Rooney stated that while the computer-generated effects are extensive, one of the sequel’s appealing factors is its adherence to a homemade appearance through the use of physical sets, puppetry, and magical illusions. This style aligns with the more limited special effects tools available in the late ’80s. Rooney found it satisfying to see Burton once again fully in control of the humor, creative imagination, and delightful macabre elements that have long been associated with his name.

According to Nicholas Barber from BBC, similar to Top Gun: Maverick, Beetlejuice sequel thrives due to the extended time gap since the original release. Instead of appearing repetitive, Beetlejuice stands independently as a comedy with unique themes and issues. It tackles poignant topics like aging, parenthood, and grief, yet it never strays far from its spooky and whimsical absurdity.

In Venice, the Beetlejuice sequel was greeted with a three-minute long standing ovation. It’s heartening to see such enthusiastic responses, but the ultimate judgment will come following its theater release.

Read More

2024-08-29 18:41