A Comprehensive Review of the New Beetlejuice Movie: Successes and Shortcomings

There were aspects of the newest Beetlejuice movie that brought joy, but there were also areas where it fell short. Let's delve into both the elements that worked and those that could have been improved.

What I Liked About Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

One of the standout features of the new Beetlejuice is the return of Lydia Deetz, which is always a treat for fans of the franchise. Additionally, Jenna Ortega's portrayal of Astrid Deetz was praised for its authenticity and charm. Michael Keaton nailed his role as Beetlejuice again, and the movie offered a deeper dive into the character's backstory, enriching his personality and giving us more insight into his world.

Another highlight was the colorful and eccentric depiction of the afterlife land. This imaginative setting not only added to the overall atmosphere but also provided ample opportunities for creative storytelling. The film maintained the quirky humor and stylish aesthetic that fans have come to adore in previous Beetlejuice movies.

Where Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Could Improve

While the visual elements and performances were commendable, the cast and plot structure stifled the overall execution of the movie. One of the primary issues is the decision to focus on multiple characters, which only led to a diluted narrative and less investment in any single storyline.

The film follows Lydia, Astrid, Beetlejuice, Delia, Wolf Jackson, Rory (Lydia's agent and fiancé), Jeremy (Astrid's treehouse friend), and Beetlejuice's ex-wife. This heavy dose of characters becomes overwhelming, especially when many of them serve only as tangential parts of the main plot.

Delia, for instance, adds little to no advancement to the story and serves mainly as a legacy character to connect the new film to the first one. Similarly, Wolf Jackson's presence is unnecessary and contributes to a sense of wasted screen time. As for Beetlejuice's ex-wife, while she is visually appealing and adds a minor threat, her character's role feels more like an afterthought than a meaningful addition to the narrative. A more interesting choice may have been to explore Jeremy's character more extensively, given his catalytic role in the film's conflicts.

This overabundance of characters leads to a fragmented narrative that dilutes the impact of each subplot. Instead of building a more focused storyline around Jeremy, the film tried to juggle too many angles, resulting in a less cohesive experience.

The Singing and Musical Elements

While the soundtrack of the original Beetlejuice was iconic, the new film's musical elements, including the overuse of various songs, could have been more judiciously employed. The use of music, such as the Soul Train gag, certainly added some comedic value, but as a whole, the musical cues seemed overdone and detracted from the narrative's flow.

One of the standout positive aspects of the film is the Soul Train gag, which was both humorous and fitting to the movie's spirit. However, the overall use of music felt redundant, and it would have been better suited to highlight specific moments and enhance the mood rather than being ubiquitous throughout the film.

Conclusion and Rating

Despite these criticisms, the new Beetlejuice movie is still a good watch. It's not on par with the original, mainly due to its overabundance of storylines and characters. Giving it a 3.5 out of 5, the film could have benefited from a more streamlined narrative focus, but the familial themes and humor still reign.

In summary, while the new Beetlejuice movie has its fair share of successes, such as the return of beloved characters and the eccentricity of the afterlife land, it could have improved by focusing on a more cohesive and impactful narrative. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy the movie, but a more refined approach might have resulted in a better overall experience.