BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE SEQUEL “WILL MAKE YOUR MILLENNIUM”
BY PEYTON ANN HODGE PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
The “ghost with the most” has returned for his long-awaited sequel: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Tim Burton, who recently received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star, is back after three decades since the first film. Michael Keaton reprised his role of Betelgeuse, the undead “bio-exorcist” we all know and love. Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara returned to the screen as the “strange and unusual” Lydia and Delia Deetz, their dynamic just as dysfunctional as the first movie. Each one is just as iconic as they were in the original, and the sequel as a whole exceeded expectations. Spoilers below!
There was much speculation over how the film would cover the actors who were missing from the sequel's cast: Geena Davis (Barbara Maitland), Alec Baldwin (Adam Maitland), and Jeffrey Jones (Charles Deetz). Especially considering the Maitlands were stuck haunting their house in the original film, many fans worried there would be plot holes with them gone. Davis and Baldwin’s departures were mentioned only in passing, which was explained by a “loophole” that ushered them into finding eternal peace.
Though it was disappointing that Davis and Baldwin were not involved in the film, fortunately, it did not take away from the quality of the sequel. For Lydia’s father, Charles, Delia reveals early on in the film that he has died from a shark attack, but Burton does not stop there. A decapitated Charles is seen in the waiting room of the Netherworld, clueless of his situation. The character even talks and remains a relevant character in the movie without the actor — A very comical and perfectly unsubtle approach by Burton that I’m sure long-time Beetlejuice fans will appreciate.
Some exciting new additions included the iconic “resident goth girl,” Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Justin Theroux, and a short but prominent cameo from Danny Devito, as the Netherworld’s janitor. Oh, and remember that pesky realtor always trying to sell the Maitland’s home? Well, a new character has emerged: her daughter, Jane Butterfield Jr., played by Amy Nuttall, carrying on her mother’s persistent goal.
Ortega, undoubtedly the perfect choice for the role, plays Lydia’s defiant teen daughter, Astrid. Dafoe joins the cast as Wolf Jackson, a deceased action movie star who, in the afterlife, has taken on the position of the Netherworld’s head detective.
Desperate to relive his “glory days” by solving a real case, Jackson sets out to track down Betelgeuse’s ex-wife Dolores, played by Monica Belluci, who is out for revenge on her old lover. Dolores isn’t like other ghost ex-wives. She’s a soul sucker, and Betelgeuse’s soul is at the top of her menu. She is later revealed to be the one who killed him. (Yes, we finally get to know more of Betelgeuse’s background!)
Completely oblivious to his ex-wife's return, Betelgeuse has somehow managed to get an office in the Netherworld. Fully employed by shrunken head characters, the office acts as a call center for Betelgeuse’s “bioexorcism” business. Yes, he’s still trying to make that gig work. Bob, the main employee, acts as Betelgeuse’s right-hand man and has become a fan favorite of viewers.
In the land of the living, Lydia and her daughter Astrid have a rather rocky relationship. Lydia has skyrocketed to fame by monetizing her ability to see ghosts by having her own talk show, and Astrid resents her for that. Mainly because Astrid wishes to talk to her late father, but Lydia claims she cannot see him. Also, Lydia has begun a relationship with her manager, Rory (Justin Theroux), who Astrid loathes.
In a perfectly planned plot twist, Astrid finds herself in danger of being stuck in the Netherworld, and her mother has only one option: team up with Betelgeuse. Which of course Betelgeuse takes full advantage of by trying to force Lydia down the aisle with him once again, and in their original matching, red attire.
It also wouldn’t be a proper sequel without a dance scene, and this one may just beat out the original iconic dance to “Day-O.” Set to Richard Harris’ “MacArthur Park,” this scene was absolutely hilarious, and one of the best parts of the sequel.
You’ll want to watch it “167 times, and it will just keep getting funnier every single time you see it.” See what I did there? Betelgeuse would be proud.
Without spoiling too much, this sequel lived up to the original. With plenty of easter eggs (including sandworms) for the avid Beetlejuice fan, it is a must-watch. Well done, Mr. Tim Burton, you’ve done it again. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will now be added to people’s Halloween movie watchlist right next to the original. But poor Betelgeuse, will they ever spell his name right? Maybe we will find out after 30 more years. Is it too soon to ask for a trilogy?
