Beetlejuice Beetlejuice perfectly captures the feel of the original film while giving fans and entertaining and down right fun movie.
Beetlejuice is so iconic that many fans do not want it to be touched. A sequel has to be done just right in order to be worthy, and thankfully, that is exactly what Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is. Michael Keaton reprises one of his most famous roles, as does Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Jenna Ortega join the cast.
Picking up many years later, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) returns to her childhood home in Winter River after a family death. She brings with her Astrid (Jenna Ortega), her daughter, and her fiance Rory (Justin Theroux). Having thought she was rid of Beetlejuice forever, she starts seeing him again. Eventually, she is forced to call his name three times again, as she needs his help with something.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice perfectly captures the feel of the original film. With an incredibly fun, yet eerie, score from Danny Elfman, practical effects and silly jump scares, this movie does not try to update itself for modern times too much. That would take away from what Beetlejuice is.
Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice appears on screen just about as much as he does in the first film. The story has always been about Lydia, and thankfully Beetlejuice Beetlejuice remains true to that. We follow her and her family, with just enough Beetlejuice to have us grossed and laughing, but not too much that we become overwhelmed by him – or too much that he gets old.
There are a lot of new characters, but the one that stands out the most – besides Jenna Ortega’s Astrid – is Willem Dafoe. That man is very clearly having the time of his life and the movie is better because of him. He is absolutely hilarious. Justin Theroux’s Rory is someone that viewers will love to hate right from the first moment we see him. That said, I do not want to dive too much into his character for fear of spoilers.
Probably the biggest issue with this movie is inclusion of Delores (Monica Bellucci). While she has a really cool character design, and I appreciated the bit of Beetlejuice’s backstory, she just is not necessary. Delores is Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, and a soul sucker. She is intriguing enough, but if you remove her from the film, the plot does not really change. Unfortunately she never drives the plot forward and is kind of just there as someone to annoy Beetlejuice.
There are a few twists in the movie, however they are all predictable, for the most part. That does not take away from the story, or the fun that is had watching the movie, but it should be noted that nothing really comes as a surprise.
It is a complete joy to be back in the world of Beetlejuice. Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega do a phenomenal job of leading this film. They have great chemistry that any mother or daughter can relate to – we need more of them together in films. Ortega perfectly fits into this great cast.
Of course, there is an incredible musical number in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice just as there was in the first movie – although nothing can beat Day-O. Overall, this is certainly a worthy successor. It brings the same humor, fun practical effects, and ridiculousness that the first movie does, while also delivering a story that is entertaining and intriguing.
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About Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice comes to theaters on September 6th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.