BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE - A Review by Jenn Rohm

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE – A Review by Jenn Rohm

In 1988, many of us fell in love with Tim Burton’s creative mind and the “ghost with the most” Beetlejuice. 36 years later, we are given a chance to catch up with the Deetz family and the afterlife. Some of the story is influenced by the real world: Jeffrey Jones and his legal issues, Tim Burton’s dating life, and society’s acceptable humor restrictions. Other things like all the subplots and why Lydia’s daughter would be in high school vs in her 20s have me scratching my head.

I am, of course, talking about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The things I enjoyed about the film I really enjoyed and the things that bothered me really bothered me. Basic high-level overview: Charles Deetz has passed away, and Delia (Catherine O’Hara) brings her stepdaughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) and granddaughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) back to Winter River for memorial services and to sell the ghost house. The basic premise is fair. Nods to the original, like a children’s choir singing “Day-O,” and replicas of the chair sculpture are nice.

Then, multiple subplots are added. The relationship between Lydia and Rory (Justin Theroux) did not add anything for me. It was more like it was to have a character to represent the kind of people Delia used to socialize with. Delores’s (Monica Bellucci) “resurrection” and relationship to Beetlejuice did not help move the story and took time that could have allowed for a deeper connection between characters. Then, Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe) could have been its own spin-off piece, which would have been better.

Ryder brings us a Lydia who, in some moments, shows growth and change into an adult. However, most of the film has her waffling like a hormonal teenager. Her image sticks to a late 80s gothic vibe that includes black eyeliner around her entire eye as though a teenager applied it, not someone with 30+ years of experience. (This is one of those realllllllly did not like/pulled me out of the film things mentioned above.) The rest of the look reminded me of the original; I expected her to be more current, even if still goth. The moments that show Lydia’s growth include a scene with her daughter in the attic looking at a scrapbook and a few conversations with Delia. I would have liked to have seen more depth in these scenes and additional character connection moments in the movie.

Ortega can do so much, but the script didn’t allow her to shine. I was glad to see it wasn’t a watered-down version of another character she is known for; sadly, it was a watered-down insert any teen here role. Had some of the subplots not been included and a few music montages shorter, there would have been time for a more developed story with a young adult daughter and her relationship with her mother. The subplot used with her and Jeremy (Arthur Conti) was a bit too close to the original and predictable.

O’Hara delivered a more rounded character in this film than the first. There are details of her storyline that I am unsure if they were never told in ’88, left on the cutting room floor, or have developed with the musical’s storyline based on the original movie. She keeps her flair for the artistic and dramatic, with more wisdom and reality. You can see that over time, between films, Delia and Lydia do care for each other.

Keaton brings back the ghost/demon of my teenage years. There are a few more restrictions on how far he can take things than existed in 1988. He played true to the part within the parameters provided to him. I would have enjoyed more verbal humor from the character and fewer sight gags. With the subplot involving Delores, a split in his devotion was created that did not work for me. His time in the afterworld was enjoyable, I do adore his staffing choices, and a couple of moments were pleasant surprises, such as one involving a stamp.

Maybe it is that it has taken over 35 years for this next film to come out, and times have changed; maybe it is that I am in a different place in life and have a different perspective. The film did not live up to my expectations. Yes, I am glad it was made, and I saw it. Yes, I would watch it again, but I do not see myself going out of my way to do so.

Director: Tim Buton

Written By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Seth Grahame-Smith

Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material, and brief drug use.

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Selig Rating: 3 stars

Runtime: 1h 44m

Release Date: September 6, 2024

Trailer: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice trailer

Website: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice website

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.