Reel Review Roundup

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (M)

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega

Review by: Julian Wright

It has been a lifetime since the afterlife’s biggest mischief-maker Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) terrorised the dysfunctional Deetz family from beyond the grave; so what have the dead and the living been up to? It’s showtime.

Now a big city TV star medium, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is manipulated by her money-hungry manager Rory (Justin Theroux) and estranged from her moody teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who doubts her mum’s ability to see ghosts.

When Lydia’s dad Charles dies, she returns to the Winter River mansion on a hill, where she faced off with Beetlejuice, to grieve with her eccentric artist step-mother Delia (Catherine O’Hara).

But Astrid figures out how to enter the afterlife, and the only one that can help Lydia get her back is, gulp, Beetlejuice.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice beefs up the character list, fleshes out backstory and motivations, expands upon the afterlife mythos, pumps up the comedic gore and explores death and grief.

Perhaps it was a conscious decision to over-stuff this sequel with twice the plot as a peace offering for making us wait so long for it.

It’s all very busy and at least two characters feel incredibly superfluous, despite their comedic contribution, but despite a bit too much going on, this proves to be a fun romp that almost matches the original’s off-kilter magic and atmosphere.

After a recent run of unfortunate films that suggested Tim Burton had lost touch with his imagination, this long-gestating follow-up, he seems to be back in his kooky comfort zone, and relishing the opportunity to revisit his former playground.

The cast is stacked, and Keaton steps back into the sleazy role as if no time has passed – the creation is uniquely his.

Meanwhile, O’Hara recaptures Delia’s narcissistic spirit, which is dialed up to hilarious levels in the wake her husband’s untimely death (how could he this to her?!), delivering some of the best comedic moments.

Newcomers range from serviceable to hilarious, and there are a couple of nice cameos for a game of celebrity spotto.

We have waited a long time, teased and tormented about Beetlejuice’s return, so was it worth the wait

It is another worthy wild ride through the strange and unusual.

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