Michael Keaton revisits another previous role that he originated for Tim Burton as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens in theaters this weekend.

The first thing right off the bat that Tim Burton and screenwriters have to worry about is what to do with Charles Deetz. I say this because they also have the exact same problem that Jurassic World Dominion had in bringing back Lewis Dodgson. Both characters were originated by actors who are now registered sex offenders. How exactly do you go forward? The easy way out is by killing them off. But in this instance, it is easier said than done. We are talking about a film that deals with the afterlife! IMDb does not list the name of the person who portrays Charles in this film. The character and his likeness is in the film even if Jeffrey Jones is not. While Jones does not need to return, you could not have a sequel without including Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, or Michael Keaton.

There are some good ideas here but there are multiple storylines are play. I think it would be a way better film if they did not have so much going on. For instance, both Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Astrid (Jenna Ortega) have an arc. Astrid doesn’t have the best relationship with her mother and it’s easy to see why. Of everybody that Lydia can see, she is unable to see Astrid’s late father. Meanwhile, Beetlejuice’s (Michael Keaton) ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), is back in the picture and wants revenge. And then there’s Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara) mourning her dead husband. That’s why everyone is back in Winter River…until a portal opens to the Afterlife.

If you’re wondering where Alan (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) are, a loophole has enabled them to move on from their house in the past 30+ years. Their Winter River model lives on and you probably would not believe who is waiting for Lydia…Speaking of Winter River, they completely rebuild the Deetz house from scratch! Not many changes in the city as a whole but it’s impressive that they could rebuild it so quickly.

Will anyone say the name three times? Oh, I’m certain of it. After all, there would not be a film if someone did not say the name three times. It also adds to the comedy of the situation. There are humorous moments in the film. Frank Hardballer action star Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe)–he died doing his own stunts–now works as a detective in the afterlife and heads up the Afterlife Crime Unit. How Dick Wolf or the CSI folks didn’t think of that is beyond me but there could probably be some spinoff potential in focusing on Dafoe’s character. There is also an instance involving truth serum.

If you’re expecting Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to replicate the magic that propelled its predecessor into a classic, prepare to be disappointed. Regardless, Michael Keaton certainly pulls it off. After revisiting both Batman and Beetlejuice, it makes you wonder if Harrison Ford started a trend. Which character will Keaton be revisiting next?

DIRECTOR: Tim Burton
SCREENWRITERS: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar; Story By Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith, based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson
CAST: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, with Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe

Warner Bros. releases Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in theaters on September 6, 2024. Grade: 3.5/5

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