B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Beetlejuice Beetlejuice into the ol’ VCR.

It may have (funnily enough) taken me three attempts to finally see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but it was totally worth it. 

I had a big, stupid grin plastered across my face from the SECOND those opening credits started through the time the ending credits wrapped. 

If you’re unfamiliar, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Tim Burton’s sequel to his original 1988 film, Beetlejuice. See what he did there?

Now, nothing was going to measure up to the original, but I actually loved this movie. 

I thought it modernized the weirdness of the original movie without changing too terribly much of its original sentiment. 

In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, we find an adult Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) struggling to juggle her ability to see ghosts, an insufferable boyfriend (Justin Theroux), and a grieving teenage daughter (Jenna Ortega). 

After the death of her father, Lydia returns home with boyfriend and daughter in tow at the bequest of her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and it turns out that some of the (literal) ghosts of her past might not be quite done with her. 

Simultaneously, Beetlejuice’s (Michael Keaton) ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci) has gotten herself together (again, literally) and will stop at nothing to find herself in the arms of the ghost with the most while Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), an actor turned undead cop, tries to bring her to justice. 

I’ve seen a lot of criticisms about bringing in the new characters and not fleshing them out enough, and I think that’s fair. 

I thought Monica Bellucci was hot as hell and that Justin Theroux was a scene stealer, but I can see where they’re coming from. 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn’t stop for air or any of Lydia’s breathing exercises, but I personally didn’t mind it, which is saying a lot coming from the queen of pacing criticisms. 

However, I’ve also seen some criticisms about Lydia that I don’t agree with. 

In my humble opinion, the entire point of the film is for Lydia to find herself. In fact, at one point, Delia says as much. 

I also think it’s worth mentioning again that nothing was ever going to compare to the original. This movie was so iconic to so many of us, and there’s a reason why it’s still such a prevalent part of the zeitgeist over 36 years after its release. 

But, I think it’s an absolute blast. 

I loved seeing all of the twists and turns of the underworld, including the EXCELLENT makeup and practical effects. 

There’s been a new fear unlocked in the beetlebaby. 

I would also defend Bob’s honor any day of the week. 

I don’t have too terribly much to say about this one, so I’ll end it in a way befitting a piece about everyone’s favorite Bio-Exorcist: 

“As Dostoevsky would say, ‘Later, fucker!’”