Jeffrey McGuinty

Kill Bill and Kick Ass had a child!

The first movie had a perfect balance of dread and wonder. You were gently introduced to the mysterious afterlife, following two ordinary people as they navigated their new reality. The Deetz family’s “strange and unusual” daughter, Lydia, connected with the spirits, learning about the afterlife's perils. Beetlejuice was a powerful, enigmatic spirit posing as a helper to Lydia, adding intrigue. The pacing was excellent—enough of the afterlife was shown to keep you curious. Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Beetlejuice as an antihero was brilliant. In contrast, Beetlejuice 2 felt like Tim Burton having fun with old friends, rehashing the past. The movie lacked focus with too many plot points and characters. Lydia’s character felt off, resembling Joyce from Stranger Things rather than her original quirky self. The subplot with her dead father dragged, and the new villain, Beetlejuice's ex-wife, was underwhelming. The film crammed too much in, losing the original’s mystique and thoughtful pacing. It felt like a fast-paced Marvel movie with Beetlejuice nostalgia thrown in. By the end, you just wanted it to be over.