In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton returns to the screen after 36 years as the afterlife’s most famous “bio exorcist”. Source: Australian Catholics.
Perhaps it is something about the world situation in 2024 that the highest moneymaking films so far have been quite a contrast – the violent fantasy of Deadpool and Wolverine and the wonderful exploration of human motor emotions in Inside Out 2.
Now Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has made over $100 million at the American box office on its first weekend.
So, we can ask: is our world, with its natural disasters, wars and cost-of-living crises, in need of a fantasy distraction and an indulgence in absurd comedy?
Because, that is what we have here. Absurd characters in over-the-top absurd situations, lots of jokes, special ghostly effects, Beetlejuice’s wisecracks, all kinds of unexpected dramatic terms.
Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara also reprise their original roles as Lydia and her mother, Delia. Lydia is now a TV host on ghost appearances shows, Delia is still an eccentric artist – but Astrid, Lydia’s daughter (Ortega), has grown up sceptical of the whole Beetlejuice ghostly world.
Her scepticism is about to come crashing down after she accidentally opens a portal to the afterlife.
Fans of the original will be happy to get back into the director Tim Burton’s afterlife, with its madcap visuals, special effects and eerie creatures.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice may not appeal to every audience, especially those who don’t have a high tolerance for dark fantasy. But, it will probably appeal to everyone else!
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci and Danny DeVito. Directed by Tim Burton. 105 minutes. Rated M (Supernatural themes and coarse language)
FULL REVIEW
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Jesuit Media via Australian Catholics)
