Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! The Review with the Most.

We review Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!, the sequel movie that arrives more than 35 years after the first entry debuted.

My entry into Beetlejuice wasn’t the original movie—it was the animated series. I loved the animated version, part of ABC’s Saturday morning and Fox’s afternoon block, which included most of the characters from the 1988 movie. Side note: All these years later, I really miss Saturday morning cartoons. Kids today are really missing out. But it wasn’t until after seeing the cartoon that we found and rented the VHS version of the live-action Tim Burton movie.

That said, this movie nails it. The characters and actors are all top-notch, the humor and practical effects of the classic movie are present, and watching it was just a good time. In many ways, it almost felt more like a continuation of the animated series than a direct sequel to the first movie.

One might guess that it also serves as a vehicle to hand the reins over to a new generation, especially with the casting of powerhouse actress Jenna Ortega. Nope. This was very much a Winona Ryder movie, with Lydia at the forefront and Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice along for the ride. There are multiple storylines that weave their way through the movie, and I’ve heard the criticism that there wasn’t enough focus on one storyline. I didn’t feel that at all. The ending did seem a little rushed, and Monica Bellucci’s Delores didn’t get much of a resolution to her arc at all. Beyond that, I have no complaints.

Here are my five quick takes:

1. The music was new and harkened back to the classic theme in just the right ways. And the perfect rendition of the Day-O/Banana Boat Song, also heard in the trailer, will give you goosebumps. And yes, the soundtrack is, in part, on Apple Music.

2. One of my favorite actors, who may have stood out more in this movie than the original, was Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz. I’m a little sad with how her character ended up, but from a story point, it works.

3. Speaking of actors, where did Arthur Conti (Jeremy) come from? Playing Jenna Ortega’s (Astrid, Lydia’s daughter) love interest, he has a very aww-shucks, sweet boyfriend vibe that originally made me think the writers were going for a Barbara and Adam Maitland parallel from the first movie. But no, it didn’t go that way at all. I think we’ll be seeing more of this guy.

4. I’ve heard criticism of the way Charles Deetz was written out (the actor did some bad things). But this is a Tim Burton movie. Over the top is what makes it a great movie! And in a Claymation sequence! To me, the weirder part is Lydia and Astrid meeting the latter’s father in the Neitherworld (is that what it’s called in the cartoon?) and him delivering dramatic dialogue with flopping piranhas biting on to him.

5. And my final point. This takes place on Halloween! Yes, a Halloween movie! And it’s fall with leaves and jack-o’-lanterns and a murder house! Someone had future merchandising in mind—just check out the Spirit Halloween decor this year! Baby Beetlejuice…I could’ve done without that.

Our recommendation: go see this movie. Not out of obligation. Not for a case of FOMO. Go to have a good time.

Our score: 4 1/2 sandworms out of 5