I remember the first time I saw Beetlejuice I knew I was entering another world. The name Tim Burton had already entered my world due to the eccentric Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. That movie was a bizarre ride in itself. Through his images, music, and use of practical effects, Burton showed us how to tell a compelling story in a new and fascinating way. It’s been 36 years since we have been to Winter River with the Deetz family and while the characters have changed a little, they still feel familiar to the viewer.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Tim Burton returning to his campy roots with a story that has a few flaws but still entertains you. There are a few side plots that are not fully fleshed out, but we will get to those in a few. The story of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a story of mourning and how people react to a loss. The Deetz family, Delia and Lydia, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, are reunited in Winter River after a loss in the family. Lydia brings her estranged daughter, Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, to their old home to prepare for a family event.
Now the trailer hints as to what this event is but I will not spoil anything for you. I will say that it is a clever way to explain this event and to show how it happens. During the time between the two movies, it seems like Beetlejuice has branched out and is in business for himself. They have an office where his shrunken head employees take calls all day with unhappy customers. It is never explained how this business was created or how he was allowed to run a business but somehow it works for the movie.
Getting back to the theme of loss, Astrid has feelings regarding how Lydia can talk and see ghosts but she can not see the one ghost that matters to Astrid the most. This has put a wedge in their relationship and it is apparent in the way she has Lydia listed on her phone. The relationship between Lydia and Delia seems to have improved since we last saw them. They are not the best of friends but they do well together. Delia, on the other hand, is a bigger artist than they were in the first movie. Her latest piece has to be interrupted due to the family event and the artist is upset about this cancellation. Lydia has her own way of dealing with loss: to exploit the situation with her art. Lydia is an influencer of art without calling herself an influencer.
Ok, let’s talk about Beetlejuice. Just like Michael Keaton brought Batman back to life last year, he has done the same thing with Beetlejuice. Keaton has not missed a step and makes you feel all the creepy crawlies as the Ghost with the Most! While he has more screen time in this movie he milks it for all it’s worth and leaves you wanting more. Keaton was born to play this role and hopefully, we get to see another Beetlejuice movie soon.
As previously stated, I did feel that some of the subplots needed a little more time to be fleshed out. I did enjoy Monica Bellucci’s role as Delores but a lot of her screen time was spent chasing Beetlejuice around. It was like an overplayed Keystone cop gimmick. Yes, it was explained why she was hunting him down but the resolution felt too swift. The side plot with Jeremy, played by Arthur Conti, was a twist that caught me off guard, but I guessed the first part of it before it was revealed. Willem Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson is a great addition to the movie for comedic effect but I wanted to know more about him and not just have him stripped down to a catchphrase. As much as I love seeing Justin Theroux in movies, his character was someone that I did not think Lydia would be with but again it is explained why they are together in the movie.
As with the first Beetlejuice, the music is fantastic in this one. From MacArthur Park by Donna Summer to Tragedy by the Bee Gees, (one of my favorites by them) the soundtrack is expertly used! If you also listen closely you can hear the title theme from Carrie in the movie. Nothing beats the original theme by Danny Elfman and it was great to hear it play throughout the movie.
Final Thoughts: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fantastic follow-up to the original 1988 cult hit despite a few slow moments. The jokes are aplenty and it has a few twists that help energize the final act of the movie. Some of the side stories don’t feel fully formed but do help the story move forward to its conclusion. Michael Keaton is magnificent as Beetlejuice, while Jenna Ortega and Catherine O’Hara steal the movie!
Kid-Friendly: The film has the same humor as the original Beetlejuice so if your kids saw that one they will be fine. There are a few F-bombs dropped and talk of murder. The theme of loss and how people mourn their loved ones could start good conversations within families.
Violence: Again, the violence in this one is pretty similar to the violence in the first movie. The scenes in the waiting room do show recently deceased in various stages of death and it’s more comedic than scary.
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. 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.