Dan Holford’s review published on Letterboxd:
2024 UK Releases
“The Juice, is loose!”
Kind of the definition of a mixed bag for me. Theres some brilliantly creative ideas, visuals and really fun set pieces throughout, and everything with Keaton is exactly what you want. I just found the human story rather middling, with a lack of connection to any of the human characters, alongside there being far too many plot threads that make the film feel messy and awkwardly paced at times.
Michael Keaton excels once again as the titular demon, bringing plenty of fun and carnage to his performance, so likeable vile and fun. Willem Dafoe too is very amusing as the investing officer, filled with fun cliched lines of dialogue. The human cast are fine, but I think it’s more their writing and stories that let them down, Winona Ryder is still pleasantly charming, and Jenna Ortega fits nicely, but it never feels like the film really knows what to do with them. Leaving a lot of the human storyline feeling like you’re just waiting for our titular character to show up.
Tim Burton’s direction does work. The special effects feel cleaner and obviously more advanced that the first, but it keeps that same look and a good use of practical effects alongside. The set pieces are fun, and well presented, the finale especially being a blast and very memorable, even if the final beats feel a little too reminiscent of the previous movie.
When it works, it really works, I just don’t think it all quite comes together. Fun set pieces and ideas let down by the lack of emotionally connective human story that worked in the original.
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