As the colder months creep in, a classic horror movie, Beetlejuice, reappears in theaters bringing tragic deaths, haunted homes, spirits, and victims back for the fall.
In the original 1988 film, Beetlejuice is a spirit summoned by a deceased couple, the Maitlands, who are unhappy about the new residents of their old house. The Maitlands are tragically killed in their home and do not hesitate to hire a rude and obnoxious spirit to drive the new couple, the Deetz, out of their old home.
The sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice came out on September 6 featuring Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Danny DeVito. The trailer shows multiple generations of the Deetz family returning home after a family tragedy. After being traumatized from Beetlejuice in the previous movie, Lydia Deetz is filled with terror when her teenage daughter becomes fascinated with a portal that leads to the afterlife.
The movie starts off several years after the first film left off, with Lydia Deetz hosting a rising channel where she tells homeowners of the ghouls she sees on their property. Suddenly she sees a black and white striped coat in the crowd that fills her with the forgotten fear of a figure from her past.
“The plot, while chaotic and bursting with crossovers between old and new characters, perfectly fits the unpredictable tone of the original,” according to a review on Rotten Tomatoes.
This film captures the dark, humorous tone of the first movie, while also extending the plot. While entertaining and full of laughs, this movie is intense, graphic, and will keep you on the edge of your seats.
Long-time fans have expressed their worry that the film will destroy the plot and creativity of the original, however, after watching the full movie the majority of reviews agrees that the film perfectly balanced old characters with new plots. The story continues to grow deeper and deeper as the film proceeds, without over-doing the comedic magic.
After watching both movies I agree that while the original Beetlejuice is a classic, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice might just be my favorite of the two. In my opinion the sequel adds more context to the story and feels less rushed than the original. Keeping nostalgic transitions and views of the afterlife definitely made all the difference, and I appreciated the return of old-timey graphics. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is definitely worth watching, especially if the original is a favorite of yours; it’s safe to say that the last few minutes will keep you hanging on for dear life…literally.
