Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review

Thirty-six years and… Showtime!! The opening credit sequence for this is familiar, like an old friend welcoming you back… it even focuses on the bridge!! The model is used again, and the town looks pretty much the same.

Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” starts by focusing on three generations of Deetz women, two of whom we know well and one to whom we’re being introduced. Welcome back Catherine O’Hara in the role of Delia (though she did channel Moira Rose a few times), Lydia’s stepmother. Winona Ryder once again plays Lydia. Her character was always temperamental. She liked to see how far she could push things with her parents. There’s something about Lydia, who is now the mother of her own moody, erratic teen… played by Wednesday, herself, actress Jenna Ortega. Her name is Astrid, and she despises and dismisses her mother’s entire world.

Delia’s husband Charles, played by Jeffrey Jones (who isn’t a returning cast member for obvious reasons), meets with an accident. They devised a very clever way to ensure he wasn’t seen. That said, the story still centers around the importance of family. Our favorite is “Freelance Bio Exorcist,” with Michael Keaton playing the man himself, Betelgeuse, better known as Beetlejuice.

Beetlejuice is a demon who likes to create trouble where there is none. He constantly did this in the first film, continuing with this one. But this is in no way a remake or revision. It’s an original story, heavier and darker than “Beetlejuice.” Having almost the entire original cast back is part of what makes this new movie so unique—especially Beetlejuice himself. No one could play that role but Keaton, and it was so fun watching him again in an entirely new adventure. How can he get himself out of this one??

But strangely, Lydia isn’t as strong as she was initially. Now an adult, she hosts her own reality show, “Ghost House.” She’s, in a way, a star, but allows herself to be under the thumb of her boyfriend, who’s also the producer of her show, Rory, played by Justin Theroux. He’s good in his role, as lame a character it is. Lydia allows herself to be bullied by Rory and her teenage daughter, who thinks she’s a fraud. Lydia now thinks about how she was to her parents and can maybe… make up for that somehow. Guess what? The plot centering around Astrid takes a disturbing turn, but it allows Lydia an opportunity to show her maternal side.

We’re introduced to a woman who’s upset about her ex, Beetlejuice, getting away from her. This heartstopper’s name is Delores, and she is played outstandingly by a scarred and stapled Monica Bellucci. Delores has the power to end the living or the dead… yes, the dead. I want to stop for a moment to remember those lost on her quest for her one true love. Poor Bob! Bellucci could have been an incredible character but was severely underused. Things became so convoluted, with Burton trying to do too much when it wasn’t necessary! The central theme was all that was needed; some characters were unnecessary but used a lot anyway. Their creation took away from the enjoyment of the movie a bit. These things and a few other missteps won’t destroy the love affair for the diehards but will keep new fans from being created. The storyline will feel perplexing to them. Stuffed. Keaton needed more airtime for me to give this a higher rating, but I enjoyed myself overall.

I’m not picking at everything; my advice is to go in KNOWING there was no way it could be as good as the original… what I’m saying is to manage your expectations, and you’ll have a fun ride. The cast was fantastic, and you’ll see Beetlejuice again. What could be so bad? The question is, will there be a “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” next?? Nope. There can’t be… he’d keep showing up wherever the title was mentioned! Use him more next time. He’s the main character. Let’s see him, for goodness sake!! Regardless of my little issue there, he’s fun here and will be in any story he shows up in from today on.