Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Called “Ghoulishly Fun”, “Joyous” and “An Absolute Thrill Ride” in First Reactions
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had its premiere last night at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a three-minute standing ovation following the red carpet gala screening with Tim Burton in attendance alongside his cast.
Following the film's press screening earlier in the day, Burton said he had "lost [himself] a little bit" and said Beetlejuice Beetlejuice "was a re-energizing, getting back to the things [he loves] doing and the people [he loves] doing it with."
Tim Burton on ‘BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE’ at #Venezia81:
“As you grow older, sometimes your life takes a little bit of a turn – I sort of lost myself a little bit. For me, this movie was a re-energizing, getting back to the things I love doing and the people I love doing it with.” pic.twitter.com/KZeWv0GEKX— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 28, 2024
First reactions suggest that audiences feel the energy Burton felt while making the film, with Scott Menzel calling it "old school Burton zaniness and greatness" and Alex Billington of First Showing saying it is "one of the most entertaining legacy sequels".
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is old school Burton zaniness and greatness. A loving tribute to the 1988 film as well as international cinema. Michael Keaton still has the juice delivering a hilarious and brilliant performance. The end MacArthur Park sequence is destined to become the… pic.twitter.com/j6Gq5YPTPr
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) August 28, 2024
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - This is wacky fun! One of the most entertaining legacy sequels, even if it's mostly fan service. One of Tim Burton's best movies in years. Old school filmmaking, not trying to be anything more than exactly what it should. I had a good time. #Venezia81 pic.twitter.com/BE8gjkFtIB
— Alex B. (@firstshowing) August 28, 2024
Next Best Picture's Ema Sasic says, "Burton honors his first film with throwbacks, all while expanding his characters and world to make a delightful new story."
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE is ghoulishly fun! Burton honors his first film with throwbacks, all while expanding his characters and world to make a delightful new story. The whole cast got the assignment and delivers plenty of laughs. So many great set pieces in the afterlife too pic.twitter.com/ZEMnVsCdDP
— Ema Sasic @ Venice (@ema_sasic) August 28, 2024
Perri Nemiroff says, "The original is an all-time favorite" and that "this new one plays like such a joyous romp back into that world."
Delighted by #BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice. The original is an all-time favorite, and this new one plays like such a joyous romp back into that world.
Michael Keaton doesn’t skip a beat. Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega’s mother/daughter storyline is a big winner for me — the element… pic.twitter.com/bWRY4w7adL— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) August 28, 2024
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's first full reviews are also rolling in from the festival, but it does not yet have a Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics.
However, if the first reactions are anything to go by, this one will likely be landing a fresh score, which should excite the fans who have been eagerly anticipating Burton's first feature film in five years.
You can find more first reactions to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice below.
‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. A masterpiece 36 years in the making. Keaton still has that magic touch & both he & O’Hara deliver impeccable comedic timing!Tim Burton continues to prove he is a master of his craft. A definite rewatch… pic.twitter.com/NaCKwAsRKK
— chalice? (@HeyChalice) August 28, 2024
#BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice is very good. Tim Burton is back in top ‘90s form, Michael Keaton can still carry an over-the-top comedy and Jenna Ortega proves that she’s a movie star. pic.twitter.com/o5d5F4YoEB
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) August 28, 2024
So what if some characters aren’t exactly necessary to the plot and the ending is a little rushed? BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE feels like a return to the Tim Burton we know & love, and is just as charming, funny, & morbidly delirious as the original. ??
Review! ??@LoudAndClearRvs https://t.co/D5R0O2zicA pic.twitter.com/qOqViwdODk— Serena @ Venice (@SerenaSeghedoni) August 29, 2024
#BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice has all of the fun reviving this horror-comedy from the afterlife. Tim Burton & the cast clearly loved making this movie, which is as bonkers, sweet, and twistedly funny as expected. The Juice is loose again, and it feels like old times. pic.twitter.com/jPgzNfFWjS
— Mike Reyes (@MrControversy83) August 28, 2024
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice -- as someone who has adored the first movie since childhood, I was dubious about this long-rumored sequel. But Burton is back! Keaton and Ryder are magic together, and I was totally entranced. Full review coming next week @Mashable pic.twitter.com/5Ncbxeg0uU
— Kristy Puchko (@KristyPuchko) August 28, 2024