Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a reasonably entertaining if overrated sequel to the original film Beetlejuice released in 1988. Tom Burton returns as director as Michael Keaton dons the familiar makeup and ill-fitting suit. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar wrote the screenplay and share story credit with Seth Grahame-Smith. Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe join the cast. Ryder and O’Hara were in the original film in 1988.

Winona Ryder plays Lydia Deetz, who was the rebellious teen-ager in the first film. She has grown up and hosts a paranormal talk show and has a rebellious daughter of her own, played by Jenna Ortega. She learns that her father was killed by a ravenous shark after a bizarre plane crash. Beetlejuice is actually known as Betelgeuse and oversees some strange office in the afterlife. Betelgeuse is still pining for Lydia after over three decades. He also has a vindictive ex-wife hunting him through the corridors. Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, has fallen for a boy who is revealed to be a ghost. She is bamboozled into trading her soul for a return to life for this duplicitous spirit. Out of desperation, Lydia calls upon Betelgeuse to help her reclaim her daughter, however she has to agree to marry the misanthropic ghost with a vengeful ex on his trail.

There are some pretty funny moments. Keaton has lost none of his comic timing in the over three and a half decades since he played this role. Jenna Ortega is a rising star in Hollywood, and her talent is as evident as her beauty. I sort of wish there was more screentime with just her and Keaton, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

The slapstick was a little overdone for my taste. I have a high tolerance for the macabre and general cinematic weirdness, but I had some trouble rolling with it in this one.

I think I found some of Betelgeuse’s opponents too easily dispatched as they converged on him.

The cast is talented and deliver solid performances, but I had some trouble appreciating the story. Lydia’s father, who was played by the disgraced Jeffery Jones in the original movie, is walking around with his head and shoulders bit off. Since Jones had some very serious legal troubles a few years ago, he was not invited to participate in this sequel although he had to be represented somehow.

O’Hara was also pretty good as the obnoxious stepmother to Lydia. There are some funny moments throughout the film, but I was still rather underwhelmed and ready for the movie to end.

I am afraid I will have to disagree with some of the enthusiasm of my fellow cinema patrons. It wasn’t terrible, and I don’t regret seeing the film, but I wish it was a bit more compelling.