Movie Review: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Scares Up A Nostalgic Yet Lackluster Sequel

Say it once, say it twice, three times the charm. Returning to the Afterlife in the sequel to the 1988 cult classic “Beetlejuice” may have been a trip down memory lane, but it lacked the effortless charm and memorable one liners of its predecessor.

Written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar with Tim Burton back as director, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” also brought back Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder to reprise their roles as Beetlejuice, Delia Deetz, and Lydia Deetz. I wish I could say the plot of the sequel is as simple as the original. In the 1988 film, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) Maitland die in car crash in their hometown of Winter River. Upon realizing they’re dead they try to navigate their new reality when the Deetz family (O’Hara, Ryder, and Jeffrey Jones) moves into their home and makes matters worse. The Maitlands attempt to haunt them into leaving and use the help of demon Beetlejuice in doing so. Beetlejuice wreaks havoc, there’s an incredible dance number, and eventually the Deetz family and Maitlands co-exist in one home.

In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” the plot went in so many directions. An older Lydia has turned her sensitivity to the paranormal into a TV series with the help of her plotting manager Rory (Justin Theroux). She isn’t on the best speaking terms with her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who is off at boarding school and at odds with her mom since her father died. Delia has become a famed artist and is as kooky as ever, in the best way. The Deetz ladies reunite when Charles (Jones) dies from a shark attack after a plane crash, and they return to Winter River to lay him to rest.

(L-R) Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Justin Theroux as Rory in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Lydia is still haunted by Beetlejuice and random ghosts, yet Astrid doesn’t believe in her mom’s abilities because of all the ghosts she encounters she never sees her dad. While in Winter River Astrid encounters a friend named Jeremy (Arthur Conti) and she accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife causing Lydia to summon Beetlejuice in order to save her daughter. Meanwhile, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci) is desperately searching for him in the Afterlife, literally sucking the souls out of anyone in her way, while serving no real purpose besides looking beautiful and saying “where is Beetlejuice” every so often. Deceased actor Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe) is hellbent on solving the case. Beetlejuice is also still trying to marry Lydia, the family is grieving, and Bob’s from the Afterlife escape. It’s just too much plot for me, but the film did manage to get some things right.

Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara still reign supreme as these characters and remain the highlight of both films. The comedic timing of both actors is just as good as in the original film although they lacked any memorable quotes like in the first film. Winona is good too but lacks the goth girl charm known and loved from when audiences first met Lydia Deetz in 1988. The Danny Elfman iconic score is revamped but perfectly encompasses the original music. It will immediately put a smile on your face. The production design and costumes are stunning, the practical effects top notch, and the new cast were likeable additions to the “Beetlejuice” world, yet I couldn’t help but want to go home and rewatch the orignal. The sequel just doesn’t have the watch on repeat factor like the 1988 film. While I did get bored halfway through “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” overall I enjoyed my return to the Afterlife.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is now playing in theaters

Follow Glambergirlblog.com on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram @Glambergirlblog and subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/AmberDoverMedia

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures