Beetlejuice – First reviews of Beetlejuice: Michael Keaton’s return as Betelgeuse is worth the wait

Burton. Burton. Burton. After the first reviews of the long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton is back. Critics are particularly praising this return to the kind of work that made him a fan in the first place, because the Beetlejuice The sequel is being called one of the rare great sequels that captures the same magic as the original. Michael Keaton slips back into the black and white suit perfectly, while the special effects are welcomed with open arms. As for what's new, is it any surprise that Willem Dafoe fits in perfectly with Burton and the others?

What critics say about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice:

Does it do justice to the first film?

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is as funny, lively and kitschy and will delight both nostalgic viewers of the first film and those who are just discovering this entertaining world from Burton's creative mind for the first time.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“Quirky, cheerful, lively, macabre, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has succeeded in recreating the convincing mix of innocent, childlike wonder and sickly crazy fantasy of the original.”
—Zhuo-Ning Su, Awards Daily

“It's a silly little sequel to an equally silly original, and it's hard to imagine wanting or needing much more from it.”
—Siddhant Adlakha, IGN Movies

“The film is just a slight variation of Beetlejuice – actually a piece of fan service. It doesn't give you all the monster kitsch jolt that the original film had.”
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Is this a return to form for the director?

“As if by a miracle, Tim Burton finds his old form again and successfully returns to the black comedy and outrageous images that characterized his extraordinary early work.”
— Alonso Duralde, The Film Judgment

“This delightfully wacky farce is one of Burton's most entertaining films and a welcome return to his own brand of offbeat creepiness after the Disney flop that was his 2019 live-action remake of Dumbo.”
— Nicholas Barber, BBC.com

“Burton fans will definitely not be disappointed… Tim Burton is back.”
— Ben Rolph, Discussion about Film

“I scribbled in my notes: 'Tim Burton is back!'”
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

“In terms of macabre Frankenstein creatures, strange situations and offbeat humor, this long-awaited sequel is the boldest and wackiest Burton-esque character Tim Burton has made in years.”
— Hannah Strong, Little White Lies

“Few would Beetlejuice Beetlejuice for a confessional or particularly self-revealing work, but it comes closer to the original artistic spark that was extinguished when the director became the trademark.”
— Ben Croll, The Wrap

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

Does it work better than most sequels?

“As for sequels, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is one of the better examples of how to honor the past while bringing a story into the modern age.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is in every respect a continuation of this legacy.”
—Alexander Harrison, Screen Rant

“While the track record of sequels in general – and especially sequels that appear more than 30 years after the original – is patchy at best, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice defies all adversities.”
— Alonso Duralde, The Film Judgment

“As with Top Gun: Maverick, the long break between the old and the new film proves to be beneficial. Instead of seeming like a remake, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a comedy with its own story and its own concerns.”
— Nicholas Barber, BBC.com

Is Michael Keaton still great in the title role?

“Michael Keaton's return as Betelgeuse is worth the wait.”
— Ben Rolph, Discussion about Film

“Keaton has revived the role he first played in 1988 and plays it with the same energy, intelligence and devilish enthusiasm as he did in the original all those years ago.”
— Jo-Ann Tit-Marsh, London Evening Standard

“Keaton is brilliant as always in a role that fits him like a glove.”
— Hannah Strong, Little White Lies

“Keaton, who has a more prominent role in this film than in the first, still has what it takes to breathe life into this iconic character, and it's a joy to see him deliver all of his gags and comedic interludes even at the age of 70.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“Keaton brings the role to life with the same crazy enthusiasm as before, but – how can I put it – he's less annoying, more reserved, slightly melancholy (perhaps).”
— Sophie Monks Kaufman, In-dieWire

“Michael Keaton clearly adores this character; once again he pours pure love into Beetlejuice's insane, twisted soul.”
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

What about the other returning actors?

“Among the top-class cast, Ryder and O'Hara stand out.”
—Jonathan Romney, Screen International

“Ryder is in no way inferior to Keaton and is the film's yin to its rancidly irreverent yang. The actress takes us back to the charming screen persona of her late teens, not only in Beetlejuice but also in films such as Edward Scissorhands, A Mermaid Kisses and Heathers, where she exuded a unique blend of intelligence, sweetness and innocence, but was equally effective when she drifted into the dark.”
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

“Ryder isn't always great in comedies, but her rapport with Burton probably helped create this wonderfully relaxed performance.”
— Zhuo-Ning Su, Awards Daily

Are there any standouts among the newcomers?

“The addition of Willem Dafoe, known for his various wacky roles, fits perfectly into Burton's world… Dafoe exaggerates every second he gets, providing plenty of laughs.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“Dafoe is clearly out of touch with his own film, a film that has little connection to the rest of the world. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice…but like most actors, the actor has infectious fun.”
—Siddhant Adlakha, IGN Movies

“Justin Theroux is perfect in the role of Rory and despite his limited screen time, manages to make an impression and deliver some of the film's best lines.”
— Serena Seghedoni, Loud and Clear Reviews

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

What is the script?

“The story of Beetlejuice is scattered across the country. The script… focuses on one character too many.”
— Ben Rolph, Discussion about Film

“Screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar cleverly craft a framework that is more narratively complex than the first film, weaving together multiple storylines to a clever but often confusing effect.”
—Jonathan Romney, Screen International

“The script spends so much time introducing new characters and storylines that it gets a little caught up in the narrative spider web.” — John Nugent, Emnpire Magazine

“It's just a shame that the narrative stretches into the unknown and some plot lines (like the feud between Beetlejuice and Delores) don't work out.”
— James Mottram, Total Film

Are there many nostalgic references to the original?

“There are many references to the original, but Burton makes this work stand out with new drama in this world and beyond.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“The closest the film comes to being an egregious nostalgia bait (aside from its completely unnecessary existence) is in the third act, where it tries too hard to repeat the iconic possession scene.”
— Connor Lightbody, Movies we've written about

“A lot depends on whether the viewer recognizes recurring elements from 1988.”
—Jonathan Romney, Screen International

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

Does it sometimes seem unnecessary to you?

“At no point does the revival, 36 years later, tout itself as 'important' with a capital I … it's fine – at times it's even charming – and that's all it needs.”
—Siddhant Adlakha, IGN Movies

“There is good and bad fan service, and as stilted and cheesy as it can be at times, I had a pretty good time with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety

How does it look?

“Visually there is a lot to marvel at… even the comic-like, bloody special effects are unforgettable.”
— James Mottram, Total Film

“The film’s most laudable achievement is its bold reclaiming of highly tangible practical and animatronic effects for the CGI age.” – Jonathan Romney, Screen International

“Burton captures the aesthetic of the original while expanding on it, mixing the macabre with the cartoonish and running the gamut from stop-motion animation to sophisticated CGI.”
— Alonso Duralde, The Film Judgment

“There are plenty of special effects, but with the caveat that some of the CGI effects (especially an embarrassing scene involving some influencers) are not as graceful and tangible.”
— Connor Lightbody, Movies we've written about

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

Will it make us laugh?

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is always funny.”
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“The best surprise is that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is that rare thing, a big-budget comedy that's actually funny.”
— Nicholas Barber, BBC.com

“The priority is to pack in as many gruesome comedic elements as possible, from visual puns on phrases like 'inner child' and 'pour your heart out' to an entertaining digression about Betelgeuse's romance with Dolores.”
—Jonathan Romney, Screen International

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is full of harmless jokes and kindergarten-style one-liners, but the effect works.”
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

Is it for children?

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice [is] an ideal introduction to the horror genre for younger viewers.”
—Siddhant Adlakha, IGN Movies

“The original script for Beetlejuice was deemed too dark and its tone was lightened, while this appears to have undergone a similar remediation as an F-bomb is drowned out by a very sharp and entirely unnecessary beep.”
— Connor Lightbody, Movies we've written about

(Photo by Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection)

Are there any complaints?

“Monica Bellucci’s role is wasted.”
— Ema Sasic, The Next Best Movie

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could use more of Delores: she only appears elegantly here and there.”
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

“The film's only flaw is that it has a few too many plot threads, giving it a lengthy middle section and a rushed and confusing finale: like the original Beetlejuiceit could have spent more time with Betelgeuse.”
— Nicholas Barber, BBC.com

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