Beetlejuice is Back with Flair, Fun and New Friends

Originally released in 1988 and described as a dark fantasy comedy, Tim Burton’s take on the afterlife where you have to get a number to be seen and focusing on a mischievous spirit who’s a bit on the horny side makes for the best kind of macabre comedy with a lesson in humanity around the corner.  Now, Beetlejuice is back with the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning film. Michael Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega Willem Dafoe.

After an unexpected 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 Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

Opening to Donna Summer’s ‘MacArthur Park’ lyrics,

“MacArthur Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again”

Sets up the vibe and narrative for this fun sequel where Lydia is now host of ‘Ghosthouse’ – a show that investigates paranormal activity, which is so appropriate given that she was the only one who could see the Maitlands (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis )  in the original.

Mark Scruton’s  asymmetrical production design and Burton’s stop animation plane sequences are signatures of this world that work even better the second time around.

Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara is still hilarious, but this time bonds with Lydia in a more maternal way than before.  It was a nice rooted moment to witness between the two when Delia reminds Lydia of being a ‘goth brat’ as she struggles with Astrid in a very similar yet different manner.

Monica Balducci, as the Frankenstein-esque, soul sucking ex of Beetlejuice, Justin Theroux as the scamming, semi-supportive fiancé, Danny DeVito’s afterlife janitor coupled with Willem Dafoe as a film detective with loads of coffee and catchphrases are all welcomed additions and collectively breath a new life in more ways than one.

One of my other favorite moments was watching Astrid (Jenny Ortega) have a little romantic departure from the mess that is her life. It was so relatable and is what most girls do – they reach out to someone on the outside to vent.

With lots of easter egg moments from the original, a Soul Train to the great beyond complete with Don Cornelius and the lesson of making memories with the ones you love rather than be haunted by the regret later in life make Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice a sequel to sink one’s teeth into.