aala2007

The original Beetlejuice from 1988 was quirky, innovative, and full of charm, with a storyline that combined dark humor with a heartfelt tale of acceptance. Sadly, the 2024 version falls far short of the original, leaving me disappointed and questioning why this project was even greenlit in its current state.

The most glaring issue with this movie is the weak storyline. The plot feels like a hastily assembled patchwork of ideas, with little cohesion or thoughtfulness. It's as if the studio relied on nostalgia to carry the film, assuming audiences wouldn't notice or care about the lack of substance. Unfortunately, this assumption proves fatal to the movie's success.

One of the most frustrating aspects is how the filmmakers handled Lydia's character. Played once again by Winona Ryder, Lydia remains stuck in the same drab clothes, with the same morose attitude, as though time hasn't touched her in over 30 years. This is not only unrealistic but also lazy storytelling.

The inclusion of Jenna Ortega and Monica Bellucci might have seemed like a strategic move to attract new audiences, but their performances can't save the movie. Monica Bellucci's character comes across as an afterthought, with little relevance to the story.

Ultimately, this sequel feels like a missed opportunity. The studio had over three decades to develop a compelling follow-up, yet what they delivered feels rushed and uninspired. Rather than building on the themes and characters that made the first film a cult classic, this installment leans too heavily on nostalgia without offering anything new or meaningful.

For fans of the original, Beetlejuice (2024) might offer some moments of amusement, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression. For newcomers, it's hard to see this film inspiring the same love and admiration as its predecessor. In the end, it's a disappointing sequel that fails to capture the spirit of the original and squanders its potential.

Seasons 1-2 were written very well. The entire series should have ended after 2nd season. Season 3 was a stretch to keep it in the building. Hard to believe the bad luck but the ship stayed a float. Season 4 was a disaster from the start. Like a Super bowl winning quarterback coming out of retirement only to fail miserably with a losing season. But to try and keep this ship from sinking they bring in a bunch at A-list actors. This does NOT help. It actually makes it very very painful to watch. You can tell all of the actors are bored with the entire script. Molly Shannon failed at bringing any humor to this disaster. Her over acting and improv was just plan sad. Zach Galifianakis was weak sauce. Don't get me started on Melissa McCarthy. I would rather be forced to drag my fingernails across a chalkboard then to have see her attempt to be funny. The joy of seeing Martin, Steve and Selena come together in season 1 was completely destroyed halfway through season 3.