Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the followup to the 1988 cult classic, Beetlejuice. Some films need to distance themselves far from the original in order to properly be embraced. The characters have to be fondly missed, and the films memory better than the movie actually was.

Synopsis: After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.

Though raised in the 1980’s I did not watch the first film until a few weeks prior to this one coming out. I watched it more for character and plot than entertainment. As a huge fan of Tim Burton and 98% of the cast, I wanted to fall in love with the original. We were not compatible at all. I found it silly – even for an 80s film – and Keaton’s Beetlejuice annoying. I went in to this sequel with my expectations dragging the floor.

Amazing what 30+ plus years will do for a franchise. This film was actually a ton of fun. The story was simple enough to launch the narrative, the performances were believable, and the nostalgia was on point to connect to the original. I even found Beetlejuice to be endearing. There is no doubt that Keaton tamed down the delivery and gave us a more grounded – though just as dead and a deadbeat – as before.

The film is made better by the relationship of Ortega and Ryder. When we first met Ryder’s character Lydia she was about the same age as Ortega. Believing them to be mother daughter is not hard. Their relationship is strained due to past events, Lydia’s career, and Astrid’s disbelief in the ghost world.

A big part of the film takes place in the Afterlife. A few minor characters are brought in to spice up the plot, but to be honest they are not needed. Monica Bellucci plays a reanimated zombie who is after Beetlejuice. The meaning is paper thin and her character is so unnecessary. Another addition is Willam Defoe as an Afterlife police detective trying to solve crimes. Although it adds some humor and Defoe gives it his all, it adds very little if nothing to the overall plot. But at least he is fun to watch.

In the first film Beetlejuice wants to marry Lydia so he can get his life back; literally. he is still at it in this one doing everything he can to trick and deceive Lydia and Astrid. These moments tie back nicely to the 1988 film, and give us a connection. The biggest downfall was the musical number near the end. Again it was trying to play back to something in the past, but it went on far too long.

My laughs in this one out numbered my eye rolls in the original, so that should tell you something. Tim Burton has had his ups and downs lately, but certainly rose to the occasion with this one.

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