As a film critic with over two decades of experience, I must say that Beetlejuice 2 is an absolute triumph and a worthy successor to its iconic predecessor. The wedding sequence, in particular, is a masterclass in creative storytelling and musical integration – it’s the kind of bonkers moment that only Tim Burton could dream up!
ATTENTION: This write-up includes plot details from the currently showing movie, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.
After a tiring day of filming the series in Romania, scribes Al Gough and Miles Millar presumed they had done something wrong when Tim Burton requested a meeting with them, thinking it might be about some issue.
Following his departure, we initially assumed there might be an issue, with a reaction of ‘Oh dear, what could have happened?'” – Gough remembers.
As it transpired, Burton was planning to propose an substantial project to them: the second installment of his cherished 1988 supernatural fantasy film “Beetlejuice”. Immediately intrigued, Gough and Millar jumped on board and collaborated with Burton in developing the storyline.
Millar explains that we’ve produced numerous sequels, and it’s crucial for us to determine what makes the sequel necessary. What sets this film apart from merely being a cash grab for the studio? There should be a sense of authenticity and a message to convey.
In collaboration before, they successfully deciphered the script for a robust sequel, penning the 2004 hit “Spider-Man 2,” which received critical praise. To create “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” as Millar puts it, the secret lies in achieving an equilibrium between biting social commentary and maintaining the authentic emotion from the original source.
The newly released film primarily revolves around three female Deetz family members: Delia (Catherine O’Hara), Lydia (Winona Ryder), and Astrid (Jenna Ortega). As it turns out, the story seems to center on these women and the challenging men in their lives. Gough notes that it’s reminiscent of Beetlejuice, with Lydia encountering Beetlejuice, Astrid dealing with Jeremy, and Lydia also having issues with Rory.
The initial film touched upon the societal norms of the era: Urban professionals relocating to the countryside! In many aspects, it resembled a movie about gentrification,” Millar comments. For the 2024 version, Theroux introduces a contemporary level of smugness as his character Rory effectively exploits psychological jargon to manipulate others.
Regarding the central aspect of the movie, Gough and Millar aimed to avoid a repetition of the first film. Consequently, the ghostly couple Adam and Barbara Maitland (portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) are missing from the sequel. Gough explains that Tim had made it clear he didn’t want the Maitlands in this installment. One reason could be that they are spirits, thus they wouldn’t age. There was also a brief instance where we attempted to include them, but it felt more like catering to fans rather than moving the story forward, as their tale had already been told.
After wrapping up their collaboration with Ortega on “Wednesday,” the characters portrayed by Gough, Millar, and Burton in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” differ significantly from Wednesday, the macabre character from the “Addams Family.” As Gough explains, they didn’t intend for her character to be a carbon copy of Winona or a clone. Instead, Winona’s teenage character was receptive to oddities and unusual happenings, while Astrid, in contrast, relies on facts and science. She has a soft spot for her causes, but one area where she doesn’t find solace is in her relationship with her mother.
Towards the climax of the movie, Astrid eventually grasps the intricacies of her mother’s character – and to symbolize this fresh connection, an eccentric dance scene is employed as a captivating display.
As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but recall the poignant moment when Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O” echoed through the cinematic landscape during Charles’ funeral, reminiscent of the unforgettable dinner party scene from the initial movie. Writers Millar and Gough aimed to recreate such a musical spectacle in the sequel, yet they grappled with the weighty responsibility of surpassing their predecessor’s masterful composition. “For us, the ‘Day-O’ sequence in the original film was an iconic moment,” Millar confesses. “There was always this lingering apprehension: How can we possibly outdo that?
In the movie’s most dramatic point, Beetlejuice disrupts Lydia’s wedding to Rory, reminding her of the marriage contract she signed earlier in the film. This crucial scene, cherished by fans, is quite brief and easy to overlook.
In just a blink of an eye, it’s Geena Davis on a sandworm, and that’s all she wrote, according to Gough. With another opportunity for a wedding at hand, what will he decide to do?
As the film neared its conclusion, there was a collective desire for a musical segment, but nothing seemed quite right. Then, unexpectedly, Tim suggested an idea: he had a jukebox in his kitchen and had been playing “MacArthur Park” frequently. His proposal was to incorporate this song as the centerpiece of the wedding scene.
They took off like a shot, singing and dancing enthusiastically to the 1968 version of the track made famous by Richard Harris (later remade into a disco hit by Donna Summer in 1978). Lydia, Beetlejuice, Astrid, Rory, and even the priest joined in the fun, showcasing their best dance moves.
Initially, we contemplated if some parts of the song, which lasts for seven-and-a-half minutes, could be removed. However, Tim insisted on keeping every bit. As the story and structure solidified, we were able to take bold risks, and ‘MacArthur Park’ seemed to perfectly align with these risks, giving the movie an unexpected twist. It was a wild element that the film required. When you consider all the possible endings for the movie, it’s unlikely ‘MacArthur Park’ would ever come to mind.
The length of the sequence allowed the creative team to add additional characters to the song, offering more depth. Millar admires the part where the song undergoes a dramatic change and Willem Dafoe appears from the crypt in the eccentric ’70s orchestral break within the melody. He finds it incredibly theatrical and captivating as a composition.
Though the wedding in the film is undeniably thrilling, it’s important to note that Beetlejuice isn’t a stranger to marriage ceremonies. In fact, earlier on in the movie, we learn about his past when we see him getting married – but this time it’s not Lydia or any human he’s marrying. Instead, he ties the knot with the frightening Delores (played by Monica Bellucci).
For the very first time, viewers will encounter a youthful Beetlejuice, burglarizing graves dating back centuries, portrayed in a classic black-and-white scene that unfolds exclusively with an Italian voiceover.
Gough commented, ‘Given his age, it seemed fitting that he belonged to a certain period.’ It was Tim who suggested, ‘Why not make the entire production in Italian?’
“I think he said it’s like the prologue to a Fellini movie,” Millar adds with a laugh.
Although they developed a more complex character for “Beetlejuice,” the creative team insisted on keeping his screen time minimal in the original 1988 movie and its sequel, with Michael Keaton appearing on-screen for just about 17 minutes in total.
Millar expresses that the character is delightful to create, however, he’s not the main character in the film. Balancing the storyline was challenging due to the immense popularity of this character. The title itself, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ underscores his importance, so it’s crucial that he plays a vital role in the movie.
According to Gough and Millar, overcoming challenges significantly influenced their writing process, resulting in a script they take great pride in, one that strikes just the right balance with a touch of Beetlejuice. “It pushes you to delve deeper into understanding the scenes and his role within the movie,” Millar explains. “It’s incredibly rewarding, making you feel as though you’ve spent more time with him than anticipated. That’s the secret power of that character.
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2024-09-07 19:19