The original “Beetlejuice” was released on March 30, 1988. The film was a major hit and quickly became a beloved cult classic, often screened as a Halloween favorite. Its sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, came to theaters last month, almost 36 years later, so that begs the question: Does it live up to the hype of the first movie, or is it a flop?
Let’s begin with the first movie, but warning: spoilers ahead. The first movie follows a couple, Barbara (played by Geena Davis of “Thelma and Louise”) and Adam (played by Alec Baldwin of “30 Rock”), who tragically die in a car accident. They then become ghosts that become stuck in their home. When a new family moves into their home, the couple selfishly wants them to leave, but the only way to get rid of the new tenants is to hire a “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton of “Batman”). Crude and invasive with his scaring tactics, Beetlejuice takes it too far with the family, especially with the daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder of “Girl, Interrupted”).
“Beetlejuice,” released in 1988, has left a lasting legacy in the film industry, becoming a cult classic and a significant milestone in Tim Burton’s career. The film grossed $74.2 million worldwide against a modest budget of $15 million, showcasing Burton’s unique gothic and quirky style to a wide audience. Its success not only established Burton as a visionary director but also led to future iconic projects like “Batman” and “Edward Scissorhands.” “Beetlejuice” continues to influence pop culture with its distinctive aesthetic and memorable characters, affirming its place as a beloved and influential film.
“I liked the movie; it was very entertaining,” Columbia Academy paraprofessional Ms. Melissa DeLoach aid said. “The cast worked well together. Beetlejuice was my favorite character because he was very funny at the time and he was a little scary, too. I’m glad they made a sequel, so I can see what happened to Beetlejuice.”
Now, after 35 years, many wonder what took so long to finally bring the cast and crew back together. Burton said the delay for the second sequel was due to not having any inspiration. As said in an interview by Gizmodo But after reminiscing about the character Lydia, he asked himself where she would be after the first film’s ending. Burton hopped on the project and said that it was a very personal project for him. He felt like the Deetz family resembled what it’s like getting older and growing up. The way the family experiences life, death, different generations getting older like we do in everyday life.
And thus, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” came to be. Thirty-five years after the events of the original, Deetz is now a successful paranormal investigator who finds herself drawn back to her haunted past. Strange occurrences plague her family home, prompting her to seek the help of the mischievous Beetlejuice. When her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega of “Wednesday”), accidentally befriends a ghost named Jeremy he need Astrid’s help to bring him back to life. However Lydia makes the discovery that Jeremy isn’t telling the whole truth. Lydia decides to summon her old friend BeetleJuice for help to bring her daughter home.
While this seems like a lot of plot on paper, and there were many different stories to keep up with, the film’s pace is also somehow rather slow. With story threads left hanging and a rushed conclusion, it’s certainly not a classic like its 1988 predecessor. But the movie does nevertheless offer that good old Halloween feel. The side stories (like Beetlejucie’s ex-wife hunting him down throughout the movie and Lydia’s boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux of “American Psycho”) doing a marriage proposal)do keep the viewer engaged, however, and unlike most sequels, it wasn’t a carbon copy of the original, which is great. The movie has amazing CGI and stop-motion animation as well, blending the old-fashioned charm of Burton’s early career with a polished, professional aesthetic. And the returning actors jumped right back into character while the new actors fit right in to create a game cast overall.
“I liked the plot because it just kept having twists,” Mariah Barber (11) said. “I especially liked when Jenna Ortega’s character almost got hit on by another male ghost and she didn’t know he was a ghost [since she hadn’t yet] realized she had senses like her mom did. I don’t think this is the end of the franchise because Beetlejuice always comes back.”
Burton has undeniably created an amazing and iconic Beetlejuice sequel, and perhaps franchise now, with many people loving not only the movies but also the short-lived animated TV show and the Broadway musical. It’s no wonder that this new installment has become a hit. Now, the question is: Will there be a third Beetlejuice movie?
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Bee—you get it. I wouldn’t want to actually summon him.
