“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” revives a not so recently deceased franchise

Burton is back! Visionary director Tim Burton has released his long-awaited sequel to 1988’s “Beetlejuice” with a clever title choice, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. Although some of the director’s recent work has had a distinct lack of his individual creative flair, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” does not continue this trend. The new film is full Burton, with all of the acting, set pieces, music, and effects that comes with one of his films. Not to mention, the vibes are flying off the charts.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” returns to the original story’s main character: goth icon Lydia Deetz, played splendidly by Winona Ryder. Much like the other returning performers, Ryder slips back into the role like an old dress that still fits. She and the character have grown, and the performance reflects this amazingly. It’s a quiet, restrained, anxiety-based performance that truly makes us remember, the things that happen in a film affect the characters! PTSD and trauma exist, and Lydia, who was taunted by a demon at age 15, would definitely not be over it. 

She also now has an estranged daughter, Astrid, brought to life by Jenna Ortega. The marketing of the film had many fans worried that Astrid’s character would simply be a recreation of the Wednesday Addams character, played also by Ortega. In a pleasant surprise, Astrid’s character is nothing like Wednesday. She’s an environmentalist with daddy issues, and who disbelieves her mother’s crazy stories about demons and ghosts (which is what made Lydia famous as a TV host). After a tragedy occurs, Lydia, Astrid, and the true highlight of the film return to their old (haunted) house. The highlight in question is multiple Emmy award-winning actress Catherine O’Hara, who knocks it out of the park in this film. Every line, every movement, every gesture, they’re all hilarious when it comes to her return as Delia Deetz. 

All three of these leading ladies are delightful in the new film, and of course, one has to mention the titular Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice still loves Lydia after all these years, and he’ll stop at nothing to claim his bride. Micheal Keaton brilliantly recreates the exact feel of the 1988 performance, while still providing so many new and fresh tricks that differentiate the film from the original. Many new cast members provide fun and unique (and admittedly sometimes crowded) scenes that should bring smiles to theatergoers’ faces. The film relies mostly on practical effects, which are gleaming in this already beautiful film. Fan favorite creatures the sandworms get their moment to shine in this film like never before. The eerie greenish-blue lighting of the afterworld compared with the warm and cozy lighting of fall in a small town gives the film a vibe that is perfect for the Halloween season. No one makes a film like Tim Burton does.

The film is best when you can’t anticipate what’s coming, and most fans would recommend going in as blind as possible. Some may call this film superior to the original in some ways, some may say it is equal, but most agree that the film is a delight. However, it does leave one wondering with the box office success of the film, and of course the clever title scheme, can we expect a “Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice… BEETLEJUICE!” around the corner? Only time will tell, but audiences are seated and ready for whatever Burton will bring next!