Cinephile No. 1,212 “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME  

Plot: “After a 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 teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.” -IMDB

Review: I know what the world expects of me. I am supposed to begin this review by railing against Hollywood’s lack of creativity, endless hunger for sequels, and ceaseless catering to audiences who expect a known entity. Normally, you would be right. Before the theater lights dimmed and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice began, that is what I expected of myself.  

For the first 30 minutes of this film, it seemed as if all our expectations would be met. Everyone would be happy. In those first 30 minutes, all films must present their thesis or reason for being. Sequels must do even more. They must prove their reason for existing.  

Far removed from the quaint Winter River of the first film, it takes some effort to pull the Deetz family and Beetlejuice back together in a way that builds upon the original film. But once everyone returns home to a familiar setting after a family tragedy, this film settles into a story that feels both nostalgic and brand-new.  

This success can be attributed to Tim Burton. As a director, Tim Burton is an auteur. Much like Wes Anderson, you know a Tim Burton movie from its style and aesthetics alone. But Burton doesn’t do all the heavy lifting alone here. Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz steals almost every scene she is in with the same wit and humor that made her the center of Schitt’s Creek. Michael Keaton effortlessly slides back into the role of Beetlejuice, as does Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz. The newcomers to this story, Jenna Ortego as Astrid Deetz and Justin Theroux as Rory, breathe new life into a story that could have felt stale and forced.  

Taken together as a team with a wonderful supporting cast, Burton delivers a wildly creative and unique world centered on a family surrounded by death at every turn. As the story evolves beyond a simple return to Winter River, Beetlejuice’s need to escape his ex-wife coincides hilariously with a daughter who has also been burdened with the gift of seeing ghosts. Tricked by a handsome boy, Astrid stumbles through a portal into the afterlife. Potentially trapped, Lydia is forced to summon Beetlejuice. Of course, the two crossing paths are unsurprising, but so welcomed.  

Beyond the inventive story, I also believe Burton’s mixing of practical and visual effects should be commended here. From sets to action pieces to the look and feel of each character, this film superbly nods to the original film while expanding beyond our imagination. Finally, this story also possesses a lot of heart, as a subplot centered on Astrid and her deceased father reveals itself.  

Then, there is the climax of this film. Personally, I found the wedding sequence to be wonderfully creative, hilarious, and a smart setting where all the various story lines could come together. For some, the scene may linger too long, but for me it worked perfectly.  

If we must resurrect franchises from my childhood, this film gave me everything I wanted and more. It feels both nostalgic and like a natural step forward for these adored characters. It made me want to stay in their world forever.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan