I might bump this up in the future, this movie is a lot of fun. There's a few things I think hold it back, but plenty of things that I love at the same time. There's two main things for me that keep me from giving it an 8. The plot is incredibly disjointed and busy..... like way too much for a 100 minute movie. There's like 5 or 6 different significant plot threads and while most are very good and have great payoff, a few feel unnecessary. There's one in particular that feels completely unnecessary to me, I think it could've been cut with no consequence. The other major complaint I have is bizarrely the pacing? I thought there were parts that dragged, which is odd for a movie as short as this. It really lacks that breakneck pacing from the first and that's why I ultimately prefer that one.

However, this movie is extremely funny and I think a prime example of how to do a legacy sequel well...... AKA just continuing the story without overly dwelling on nostalgia for the first. The craft here makes it feel like a sequel that maybe came out a couple of years after the original.... definitely not 36 years. There's extensive use of sets and practical effects including a lot of stop motion. Burton put every dollar to use and this is easily the best he's been in years. And the cast is so good. The returning cast members slip so well back into their roles from the first. Michael Keaton effortlessly nails Beetlegeuse again, you can tell this man has wanted to do this movie for an unreasonably long time. Winona Ryder is great once again and potential MVP is Catherine O'Hara. She was probably the funniest in the movie. The new cast is great too. Jenna Ortega is a fun foil to her mom's character. Justin Theroux was another surprise standout, had me consistently laughing. And Willem Dafoe I mean.... yeah. A very well-rounded and funny cast truly makes this film. All-in-all, I have to also praise something I think the first also doesn't get enough credit for, but the world building in these films is so creative and interesting. Seriously, it's all so unique, but never over-explains itself, leaving plenty of room for surprises. I'm glad this film carries that on from the first so effortlessly.

I surprisingly had a lot to say about this, huh. Overall, while I do prefer the first film, I highly recommend this one. I'm glad they made a sequel that feels this casual and also unafraid of leaning into some truly macabre territory (this one leans more into horror than the first). I don't think we need another, but I'm happy we got this one. Definitely check it out.