It’s been thirty six years in the making. Thirty six years of waiting and using his name as a way to prank friends, but now the wait is finally over because he’s back at last! Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premieres in theaters nationwide on Friday, 9/6/24. Earlier this week, I was invited to a press screening for Music City Film Critics Association hosted by Allied Global Marketing and here’s my no spoiler review.
Beetlejuice is Back!
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Courtesy:Warner Bros. |
My thanks to Allied Global Marketing for the complimentary screener passes for me and my guest, so that I could share my review as a member of the MCFCA. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.
About Beetlejuice Beetlejuice:
Distributed by: Warner Bros./ Director: Tim Burton/Screenplay by:Alfred Gough & Miles Millar/Story by:Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith Based on characters created byMichael McDowell & Larry Wilson/Executive Producer: Brad Pitt/Runtime:1 hr and 44 min/Rating: PG-13 for “violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use.”
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Courtesy: Warner Bros. |
Film Synopsis:
From Warner Bros. “After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River.
Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened.
With trouble brewing in both realms, it's only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice's name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.”
Meet The Cast:
Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe.
Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award winning Beetlejuice.
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Courtesy:Warner Bros. |
Michael Keaton returns to his iconic role as the scary yet funny main character, Beetlejuice, alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Little Women) as Lydia Deetz.
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Courtesy:Warner Bros. |
And we couldn’t have a Beetlejuice film without two-time Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt$ Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas) as Delia Deetz in my humble opinion.
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Courtesy:Warner Bros. |
Delia was my favorite character in the original Beetlejuice and she did not disappoint me in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. More on that in a moment.
With new cast members Justin Theroux (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, The Leftovers), Monica Bellucci (Spectre, The Matrix films), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) in his feature film debut, with Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI) as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid,
and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, At Eternity’s Gate), you are sure to find your own favorite character from this well-rounded and entertaining cast.
My Thoughts:
As you may have guessed by now, I was thrilled to learn there was in fact going to be a new Beetlejuice film and was stoked to see the press screener invitation land in my inbox! I told myself to remember that sequels, by and large don’t live up to the hype, but I just couldn’t help myself, I went in with high expectations.
- Was it dark and brooding like a good Halloween time film should be? Yes!
- Was there blood and grossness? Yes!
- Did it scare me once or twice? No!
- Did I laugh out loud? Yes! Multiple times!
- Did I find the storyline easy to follow? Yes! But, maybe a little too easy to follow.
- Did I enjoy the soundtrack? It was just okay for me.
- Did I come away from the screener happy that I’d seen it? Yes!
The TakeAway:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a solid sequel! If you haven't seen the original Beetlejuice, no worries, this film can hold it's own as a stand alone. Be warned, the back stories may lure you in enough that you'll want to see the OG.
The acting is top notch as we’d expect from this cast line up. Keaton and O’Hara are stellar and Theroux as Rory, Lydia’s boyfriend, was actually really funny and Ryder eased back into her character like no time had past.
There were no huge surprises for me, although there was one twist in this tale pertaining to Mom and daughter I found fascinating and worth exploring, but not here or now. I promised no spoilers.
If you like dark humor, spooky season vibes with a side of gore, add Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to your weekend plans. Do be mindful of the PG-13 rating!
Hopefully, you’ll walk away feeling happier than you were when you entered the theater and more prepared to welcome in all things Halloween.
Please share in comments: Are you planning to go see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in theators?
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