Venice Film Festival Review: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is an Instant Classic

Expectations and anticipation were high as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had its first screening in Venice. How would it measure up against the original? Would we still love these characters and actors years and years later? Would Tim Burton returning break the curse or continue? As the lights dimmed and the familiar but reivived music began, there was a sense of calm that lulled you back into the zany and eccentric world we left 36 years ago. 

The antics of the underworld continue as Beetlejuice’s former lover, Delores, is once again on the hunt for his soul. His focus lies elsewhere as Lydia is once again within his grasp. Meanwhile, Lydia Deetz is a legend in her own right with a medium television show managed by her boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux).

Her life is interrupted by sudden visions of Beetlejuice and the death of her father, Charles. This hurtles her, Astrid (Lydia’s daughter played by Jenna Ortega), and Delia back into the home where it all began and closer to becoming Beetlejuice’s betrothed.

What I’ve always found magical about Tim Burton is that he is the ultimate creator of worlds, of the other and bizarre. These totally immersive journeys are the ultimate playground of imagination. The vibrancy and contrast with reality refreshes it for a new generation while still honoring classically beloved characters. True to his love of stop motion animation, we get beautiful little snippets of it. Burton nods to film noir throughout the film with Delores, the femme fatale, as well as a flashback in the same style narrated in Italian.

Michael Keaton steps back into the stripes and doesn’t look back. This performance is like watching him come home. All the mannerisms are spot on. I honestly couldn’t get enough of him and even wish there were more scenes featuring him. 

Catherine O’Hara is an absolute joy to watch. Her comedic timing is perfection. Her idiosyncratic behavior delights. Delia is not the same character in the sense that her comedy has become more honed and attune to the other characters. Still wildly over the top, her antics delight and embarass her granddaughter, Astrid.

Astrid, determined to be nothing like her mother, is a woman of science, following in the footsteps of her deceased father. Jenna Ortega’s Astrid seamlessly fits into this bizarre world and edges on peculiar in her own way. The trio of Astrid, Delia, and Lydia have this flow that seems so natural. These actors embrace the strangeness of the film as if it’s another skin. 

While Monica Bellucci’s character feels a bit superfluous. Her actions don’t really impact the story and the end result would still be the same. That being said, the design of the character is beautiful nodding to the film noir femme fatale and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

In the film, music plays a powerful character conveying emotions in a comedic way. Classic songs we’ve loved for years become tropes of love and loss complete with lip synching performances that will leave you in stitches. 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits every mark needed to become an instant classic and sequel to a truly beloved film. We can only stand in awe of the mind of Tim Burton and the characters he holds dear. It’s a perfect melange of classic meets modern and will usher and beckon in new fans seeking the strange and unusual that is Beetlejuice.

Ashley Menzel, Beetlejuice 2 Review, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review, Venice Film Festival