JEANNE’S REVIEW

After a 36-year hiatus, director Tim Burton is back with a follow-up to his wildly popular original BEETLEJUICE. Michael Keaton, Wynona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles in this long-awaited sequel BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE.

Lydia Deetz (Ryder) is now a mother to Astrid (Jenna Ortega) and the host of a successful supernatural talk show, “GHOST HOUSE”, which is produced by her overbearing boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux). Upon learning of the death of her father Charles from her stepmother, Delia (O’Hara), Lydia swings by Astrid’s boarding school to pick her up on their way to Winter River for the funeral.

Because her mother communes with the dead, Astrid is angry that Lydia won’t summon the ghost of her father Richard, who disappeared in the Amazon region of South America after his divorce from Lydia. In Winter River Astrid meets Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a local boy who convinces Astrid she can reunite with her deceased father. Jeremy tricks Astrid into reciting an incantation which allows him to regain his life, leaving Astrid behind in the afterlife.

Lydia enlists the help of Betelgeuse (Keaton) to save Astrid. His condition is that Lydia marry him to save him from his ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who’s been hunting him. Delores has one of the best scenes in BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE right at the beginning. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it involves some very large staples.

With expectations so high for Burton’s production, it is not surprising to be a tad disappointed. Despite the amazing efforts of cast and crew, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE is at times very uneven. There are a few flashes of brilliance, especially regarding the spectacular sets and costumes. But the writing team of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on a story by them and Seth Grahame-Smith, has penned a screenplay lacking in any real suspense. And at times, BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE is downright boring.

Keaton is absolutely terrific. He looks and acts exactly the same as he did 36 years ago. His energy level is impressive --- and contagious. The entire cast seems energized and happy to be included. He and Ryder have great chemistry --- they are a hoot. They definitely own the parts of Betelgeuse and Lydia.

O’Hara does the best with what she’s been given. She’s so incredibly talented --- and hilarious --- it’s a shame she was underutilized by the script. Ortega is great. Much like her character, Wednesday Addams in “Wednesday”, she nails Astrid, eye rolling, et al. Willem Dafoe has a small, undecipherable role as Wolf Jackson, a ghost police detective, a prime example of Gough and Millar’s questionable screenplay.

Diehard fans of this franchise will most likely enjoy BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it’s not nearly entertaining enough. Even the wonderful score by Danny Elfman --- then and now --- can’t make this particular story any more enjoyable.

Opinion: Wait for VOD

DAVID’S REVIEW

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, the long-awaited sequel from Tim Burton --- 36 years to be exact --- is not for everyone. But surely fans of the franchise will be regally entertained. For the rest of us, the movie is all about visual effects based primarily on the fertile minds of Burton and his crew.

The story is secondary, and I question if even the most diehard fans will care much whether Lydia Deetz (Wynona Ryder reprising her earlier role when she played a teenager) marries Rory (Justin Theroux) or not. New to the cast is Jenna Ortega as Astrid, Lydia’s daughter, who finds herself in a dire predicament as a result of being duped by a good-looking dude named Jeremy (Arthur Conti). Ortega’s on-screen talent guarantees the viewer’s empathy towards Astrid’s plight.

As for Ryder, she’s never looked better and her performance is flawless. In fact, all the players do a credible job. Michael Keaton reprises the title character and in his hands Betelgeuse remains his usual devious, devilish self. Catherine O’Hara is back as Delia Deetz, Lydia’s stepmother, while newly added Willem Dafoe plays a ghost detective named Wolf Jackson. Dafoe is in danger of stereotyping his characters who have hideous facial and/or head deformities (see Dafoe in last year’s POOR THINGS). Nevertheless, O’Hara and Dafoe are old pros who can handle any role. In a small role, almost stealing the show, is Burn Gorman as Father Damien who is hysterical when he mutters his religious verbosity completely straight faced.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE does contain some rather clever lines, such as when Betelgeuse espies his former wife, Delores (Moncia Bellucci), and tells her she’s well put together. The reality is that Delores is held together by large staples.

The real standout of this film is the music by renowned composer Danny Elfman who also did the score for the original. Speaking of music, an elongated wedding sequence is enhanced by the Richard Harris chart-topping song “MacArthur Park”.

This less than enthusiastic review is not meant to diminish the amazing technological achievements of Burton’s movie. The visual effects are dazzling. However, that does not necessarily mean the storyline or character development matches that accomplishment.

Opinion:  Wait for VOD