Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is the sequel to the original 1988 Beetlejuice. The film continues the storyline from the original almost 40 years later. It’s a new age take on the beloved classic, set in the present day.
Tim Burton returns to direct this sequel bringing much of the original cast with him. Michael Keaton returns as Betelgeuse, Wiona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’hara as Delia Deetz. Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Danny DeVito are among the additions to the cast. The exceptional performances given by Keaton, Ryder, and Ortega were a large part of what made this film any good.
The story follows Lydia Deetz, her daughter Astrid (Ortega), and her step mother Delia, as they return to their hometown after the death of her father. While Lydia deals with being haunted by Betelguese, Astrid’s doubts about the afterlife are put to rest as she goes through an adventure of her own.
This film contains several other subplots that I feel don’t necessarily add anything substantial to the plot.
For example, I didn’t fully understand the purpose of the Delores character. Delores, played by Monica Bellucci, reminded me of the character Morticia Adams, from The Adams Family – pale skin, dark features, long black hair, and a long black dress. She is the ex-wife of Betelgeuse and leader of a soul-sucking cult. I felt that Delores had little development and that the plot of the movies would’ve survived without her presence.
In this film we saw the stories of the original characters in deeper depth. Both Betelgeuse and Lydia were shown in ways not previously seen before. We learned about Betelgeuse’s past and his marriage to Delores. Betelgeuse is shown in an almost heroic light in comparison to the two other villains in the movie. The story portrayed Lydia in a vulnerable manner we had not seen before while revealing how she acquired her ability to see ghosts.
The film is no doubt exciting and funny. Several times, the theater filled with laughter. O’Hara as Delia, delivered a majority of the comedic relief throughout the movie. The unseriousness and irreverent humor of the film makes it easy to laugh at.
An aspect of this film that I believe was improved from the original was the emotional core brought by Ortega’s Astrid. Astrid was portrayed as the sole sane character in a family of weirdos. The relationship between her and Lydia grew throughout the story, showing a new side to Lydia we hadn’t seen before.
Despite some unnecessary subplots, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice inflicts feelings of nostalgia in many of its viewers. It has the same gothic and creepy yet almost comforting style as much of Burton’s work which has gained him a cult following. The unique visual style of his movies and improved effects in this sequel make the film so memorable and exciting to watch.
All in all, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun, modern movie that will get you excited for the Halloween season, while maintaining the quirky, gothic aesthetic of the original movie. I believe it’s definitely worth the watch, even if only for the sake of nostalgia.
