Beetlejuice Beetlejuice [4K Ultra HD]

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega

Release Date: November 19, 2024

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Film Rating: 7.5/10
Disc Rating: 8.5/10

Synopsis:

Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

The ghost with the most returns for an all-new adventure through the Afterlife in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’. The sequel joins the Deetz family as they return home to Winter River after an unexpected tragedy occurs. As they return to the expansive home where things went crazy decades prior, Lydia’s world is once again turned upside down after her rebellious daughter Astrid uncovers the model town in the attic and accidently opens a portal to the Afterlife which brings back the iconic ghost who is still determined to wed Lydia after so long. As things begin to get out of hand in both worlds, it will soon come down to Beetlejuice to try and help put things right in his own chaotic way.

Directed once again by iconic filmmaker Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Big Fish) from a screenplay written by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (TV’s Wednesday) and a story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith, Burton does a fantastic job at the helm of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ guiding along the enjoyable sequel with heart, style and plenty of chaotic fun in store. The new film’s cast includes Michael Keaton (Batman Returns), Winona Ryder (TV’s Stranger Things), Catherine O’Hara (Argylle), Justin Theroux (TV’s White House Plumbers), Monica Bellucci (Memory), Arthur Conti (TV’s House of the Dragon), Jenna Ortega (Scream VI) and Willem Dafoe (Poor Things) who each offer generally solid and capable performances in their respective roles.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ invites viewers back into the Afterlife for a whole new zany adventure with your favorite ghost and the Deetz family who return home after a tragic loss. It’s filled with all of the over the top fun, beloved practical effects and other rewarding elements that made its 1988 predecessor such a memorable and iconic gem of cinema. While the sequel may not manage to perfectly recreate and recapture the magic of the first film, it still does a commendable job of bringing viewers back into the world and playing by many of the same rules; all the while upping the ante in many areas and sending fans on what is perhaps an even wilder ride than last time around.

Keaton returns to one of his most iconic roles and falls effortlessly back into the shoes of Beetlejuice with the goofy, twisted sense of humor that made it so memorable the first time and you can’t help but appreciate just how much fun he seems to have in the role. It’s a pretty great sequel as a whole that offers a wildly entertaining good time with some familiar friends and settings that fans should thoroughly appreciate.

Burton returns to one of the most beloved films of his career and does a tremendous job guiding along ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and keeping the fun coming at full speed throughout, while never forgoing the unique elements and tone that made the first film so memorable. His capable work behind the camera is only tremendously boosted by a stellar cast comprised of various new and returning stars including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega, along with many more who each help in their own right to keep the film working so splendidly. If you’re a fan of the classic original and of Burton’s work in general, then ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ definitely isn’t to be missed out on and is recommended.

VIDEO:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ features a full 2160p Ultra High Definition presentation with Dolby Vision and HDR-10, presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio. The video presentation looks magnificent as a whole and provides a sharp, clean and wonderfully detailed presentation from start to finish that’s absent of any noticeable faults or troubles to be uncovered along the way. Detail is exceptional across the board with everything from characters to the various settings (both in our world and the Afterlife) looking sharp and marvelous, while the Dolby Vision HDR enhances much of it by contributing more lifelike colors noticeable in the desert of the Afterlife along with clothing and other elements throughout, all of which is even further complemented by deep, seemingly endless and problem free black levels. Overall, this is a fantastic Ultra High Definition presentation that impresses throughout and should easily thrill fans and newcomers alike.

AUDIO:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release features a Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 channel compatible) soundtrack. Please note that this review pertains solely to the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio presentation. This multichannel soundtrack is quite a treat in itself and it delivers a clean, crisp and hard hitting audio presentation throughout that repeatedly contributes to the fun. It takes full advantage of all seven available channels in order to send music, action effects, crowd chatter and plenty more repeatedly zipping throughout the various speakers at every logical opportunity, while still making certain that all dialogue and other audio elements that might be occurring simultaneously remain clean and fully audible. Overall, this is a wonderful Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible) soundtrack that sounds outstanding from start to finish and shouldn’t disappoint in the slightest.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ features a solid helping of bonus content that fans should enjoy. Included on the release is an ‘Audio Commentary with Director Tim Burton’, in addition to numerous Behind the Scenes Featurettes that explore different aspects of bringing the sequel to life and featuring interviews/comments with the cast and crew, plus behind the scenes footage and more. The included Featurettes are ‘The Juice is Loose: The Making of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (running approximately 27 minutes in length), ‘The Ghost with the Most: Beetlejuice Returns!’ (running approximately 8 minutes), ‘Meet the Deetz’ (approximately 7 minutes), ‘Shrinkers, Shrinkers Everywhere!’ (approximately 6 minutes), The Animated Afterlife: The Stop-Motion art of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (9 minutes), ‘The Handbook for the Recently Deceased’ (12 minutes) and ‘til Death Do We Park: Beetlejuice and Lydia’s First Dance’ (8 minutes).

*Please note: The above images were provided by Warner Bros. and are not reflective of the actual 4K Ultra HD release or its quality. A standard Blu-ray copy of the film was not included in the release that could be used for screenshots therefore the above publicity stills were utilized. They are all the property of Warner Bros. Discovery and any other respective owners.

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Film Rating: 7.5/10
Disc Rating: 8.5/10

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‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is Now Available to Own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

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You can purchase ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ on 4K UHD at Amazon HERE!

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