(Major Spoiler Alert)

Thirty-six years after his initial chaotic appearance, Beetlejuice returns to cause more trouble– this time bigger, bolder and weirder than ever. In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,”Tim Burton restores his darkly humorous roots, demonstrating that the classic “ghost with the most” can still captivate audiences while evolving with the times. 

The new “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” film attempts to balance honoring the original while updating the story for modern audiences. Watching both films back-to-back made it easy to spot what worked and what didn’t in the new film. This includes new characters, their overall development and plotline.

One major difference between the two movies is the CGI. In 1988, the technology wasn’t as advanced, so it’s no surprise that the new film’s visual effects stand out. Burton’s signature gothic style remains, but with a much more modernized look. For example, in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” when he–Beetlejuice–transforms into horrific creatures, the quality of the effects is noticeably higher, with smoother transitions. 

That being said, the pacing of the movie felt a bit hasty; there wasn’t time to breathe between scenes. One moment that stood out was when Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, discovers that Jeremy Frazier, a seemingly normal guy, is actually a ghost. The twist was surprising, but the way Jeremy’s story ended was out of nowhere. Beetlejuice literally snapped his fingers and sent him into the fire, which felt like a rushed decision to what could’ve been a more developed plotline. 

Deloria, Beetlejuice’s ex- wife, appeared many times throughout the film, but her scenes felt repetitive and didn’t add much depth to the story. In several short clips, we see her searching for Beetlejuice by sucking the souls out of various characters, trying to get answers on his whereabouts. Then, without much buildup, her storyline comes to a sudden end. She had the potential to be a significant part of the film–more than she already was–but her role was cut short, with little emotional payoff for her character. 

The rushed pacing also affected other areas of the film, including Delia Deetz’s–Lydia Deetz’s mother– death. It was so quick and underwhelming that it didn’t feel like the significant moment it should have been. I understand that much of the film takes place in the afterlife and even though Delia’s presence is significant after she crosses into it, her actual death felt like it  needed more recognition. Considering Delia’s importance in both films, her death deserved more focus and a meaningful send-off.

Overall, the film tried to fit too much into its 1:40 run time. The film sacrificed important character development and plot points to keep the story moving. Instead of allowing these scenes to breathe, the directors rushed through them, leaving me wishing they had slowed down. 

New characters like Jenna Ortega’s Astrid bring fresh energy to the film. Ortega’s background in horror and gothic roles makes her a perfect fit for the Beetlejuice universe. Fans of her work, particularly in “Wednesday”, will enjoy seeing her in another dark, quirky role. Meanwhile, Michaael Keaton’s Beetlejuice remains as lively and mischievous as ever, anchoring the movie with his chaotic humor. 

While “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” succeeds in blending nostalgia with modern updates, the rushed pacing holds it back from fully realizing its potential. The abrupt handling of characters like Jeremy Frazier and Deloria, along with Delia Dietz’s underwhelming death, makes the film feel incomplete in parts. It’s entertaining and visually exciting, but it could’ve been even better if it had slowed down and given its characters more time to develop.

On that note, I would rate the film a 3.5/5. Lastly, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” can be viewed on various platforms, including YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV for $19.99.