I left the theaters post ‘juice’ with only one thought in my head. Why? Why take a cult-favorite classic and attempt an act in which the odds are stacked against you so greatly? Sadly the answer is clear and repeatable; money.

Grossing 226 million dollars domestically, the incentive reveals itself. Why make an original story when you can tack on the word “Beetlejuice” and make millions? Nostalgia addicts show up akin to a moth and a flame, Warner Bros. gets their long awaited paycheck.

There are certainly shining lights throughout the film. Willem Dafoe gives a refreshing performance, something separate from the first film itself but still undeniably fun. And of course nobody can deny the magic Micheal Keaton has on screen, especially when directed by Tim Burton.

Burton also returns to his classic musical sequence, this time featuring the track “MacArthur Park”. It’s a quirky well choreographed scene in which I feel the true Beetlejuice finally shines through. 

The plot of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice should be the one of the strongest components in the film, as it was in the original. Though comparison between the two may not be fair, as the original writers of Beetlejuice did not make their return in the sequel. Instead writers Miles Millar and Alfred Gough stepped up to the plate.

I found that each individual scene packed full of special effects and morose dialogue were pleasing to watch. But putting all the scenes together seemingly without a continuous plot leaves a jarring, hard to keep up with film. 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may be guilty of doing too much. With a similar runtime to the original Beetlejuice (92 mins) Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stands at 105 instead. The movie is packed full of multiple plot lines, each lacking the time for further and deeper exposition or characterization. So when conflict naturally arises in each plot the audience doesn’t care as no attachment has been festered.

At times clinging desperately to gorey special effects or straying far from the Beetlejuice world many have grown to love. I’m simply left disappointed, the campy magic of the original disappeared under cringe-worthy dialogue in which it’s obvious adults don’t know how teenagers speak anymore. My last ringing thought at the end of this film was: I’m sick and tired of unnecessary sequels.