Internet Janitor
In many ways, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice shouldn’t work as well as it does as it has barely any real plot. But it does, it works exceptionally well despite or possibly because of the reasons it shouldn’t. Many years ago a rumour of a sequel called “Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian” was making its way around the Internet and thankfully it never materialized or came to life if you want to put it that way. What we have here, oh so many years later, is a joyful film that while not exceeding the original, keeps its spirit and legacy intact.
When we meet up with Lydia Deetz (played again by Winona Ryder) she is hosting a ghost talk show and is estranged from daughter Astrid Deetz (played by Jenna Ortega from Scream 6). Lydia receives a call from her stepmother, Delia (played by Canadian royalty Catherine O’Hara) that her father, Charles (not played by Jeffrey Jones due to him being a registered sex offender) has died.
Practical effects. Like with 2024’s Alien Romulus, this one understands that if you can do it practically, you do it practically. The many creatures, whenever possible and all the sets are practical here and they look fantastic. CGI has not yet gotten to the point that it can be practicality. I saw an ad for a new movie with Tom Hanks where a terrifying CGI-looking being played his younger and older self. Didn’t work. Terrifying. I called out for my mommy.
After many, many years in the industry, it had been reported that Tim Burton had lost his passion for filmmaking. However, after working on the show Wednesday he said it found its way back to him and you can see it here. This is not a complicated movie. It is character and visually-driven. If you are expecting, for example, to see an in-depth background for Beetlejuice’s ex-wife Doreles (played by Monica Bellucci who even has been diced up and stapled back together is gorgeous) then you’re going to be disappointed.
The joy of this very fast-paced film transcends everything. One thing I would like to point out about the humour which I don’t think I’ve seen elsewhere is that it has a “dad joke” feel about it and I love Dad jokes. Yes, you could pick it apart if you wanted to, but in this case, I had a grin on my face from start to finish and didn’t care.
Keaton is on fire, again, clearly loving every single second back in the role. Willem Dafoe chews up the scenery like no one else can do except Nicolas Cage. While I did like Jenna Ortega as always, I would love to see her branch into a completely different character. Astrid is no Wednesday, but she’s not far removed either.
Sit back. Enjoy.