At The Movies: “Beetlejuice” it up – Lehigh Valley Press

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."

Yes, that's the title. It's stated twice.

Don't say "Beetlejuice" thrice.

If you do, or if those in the film say "Beetlejuice" three times, they may find themselves propelled to the after-life.

As in many horror films, or fantasy films, there's a secret oath or magic word. Woe to those who say it.

Think "Bibbidi- Bobbidi-Boo" in the classic Disney animated feature film, "Cinderella" (1950).

Or "Double, double toil and trouble" from Scene 1, Act IV, Shakespeare's classic play, "Macbeth" (1623).

Or "Yo, Adrian" from "Rocky II" (1979).

Just kiddin' about that last one.

You get the picture.

And so do those in the movie, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," a sequel to the 1988 hit by movie director Tim Burton, who is back as are most of the original cast with the addition of some new cast members.

When anyone in the movie utters the name three times, up pops none other than Betelgeuse, pronounced Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a ghost from the beyond in all his horrific badger-eyes, stripped black and white suit and wild-hair glory.

Although Beetlejuice is the star of the show, director Tim Burton uses him judiciously, popping him out at the most startling moments like a Jack in the Box.

The character Beetlejuice is in the literary and cinematic tradition of the trickster, that of Pan of Greek mythology, Rumpelstiltskin of "Grimm's Fairy Tales" and Puck from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Burton has Beetlejuice create merry mayhem in the screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (creators, screenwriters, TV's "Wednesday," 2022-2025; TV's "Smallville," 2001-2017) from a story by Gough, Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (screenwriter, "The Lego Batman Movie," 2017) based on characters by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.

The production design is great, with a Halloween haunted house creature feature motif that should play well through the fall season. The special effects are eye-popping, literally.

It's all in, if not good fun, then gruesome fun, with zany and macabre characters mostly played for laughs in the film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."

Oh, there's a storyline about Astrid Deetz (Jenna Ortega) and her mom Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder, reprising her role) and about Astrid and her dad, Astrid and her grandmother Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara, reprising her role) and Astrid and Jeremy (Arthur Conti), a cute boy she fancies.

There's also an entanglement with Lydia and her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux), producer of her reality TV show, "Ghost House with Lydia Deetz."

Supporting characters include Delores (Monica Bellucci), Beetlejuice's ex-wife; Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), a ghost detective; a janitor (Danny DeVito), and a priest (Burn Gorman).

The cast is terrific.

Keaton (Oscar nominee, "Birdman," 2015) is ghoulishly grand and impishly spectacular as Beetlejuice.

Ryder (Oscar nominee, actress, "Little Women," 1995; Oscar nominee supporting actress, "The Age of Innocence," 1994) shows a lovely maturity as Lydia.

Ortega (TV's "Wednesday," 2022-2025) is her usual delightful self as the new character Astrid.

O'Hara is reliably over-the-top as Delia.

The Danny Elfman score is relentlessly mirthfully dark. Songs are used to ironic effect, including the Bee Gees' "Tragedy" (1979) and "Day-O" (The Banana Boat Song."

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" will be enjoyed by fans of the original film, and fans of Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara and Jenna Ortega.

As for me, I am looking forward to another sequel.

Dare they call it "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"?

There I've said it again.

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use; Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Horror; Run Time: 1 hour, 44 minutes. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: Don Cornelius (1936-2012), host (1970-1993) of TV's "Soul Train" is thanked in the credits. "MacArthur Park," written in 1967 by Jimmy Webb, is heard in the Richard Harris original 1968 hit and Donna Summer 1978 hit disco version. Filming took place May through July 2023 in London, England, and Vermont.

At The Movies: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" was seen in IMAX at AMC Center Valley 16. The movie is fine to be seen in all formats.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, Sept. 13-15: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" continued at No. 1 two weeks in a row with a still strong $51.6 million in 4,575 theaters, $188 million, two weeks.

2. "Speak No Evil," starring James McAvoy in the Psychological Thriller, opening, $11.5 million in 3,375 theaters. 3. "Deadpool & Wolverine" dropped one place, $5.2 million in 3,075 theaters, $621.4 million, eight weeks. 4. "Am I Racist?," a comedy documentary by the host of podcast The Matt Walsh Show, $4.7 million in 1,517 theaters, opening. 5. "Reagan" dropped two places, $2.9 million in 2,450 theaters, $23,3 million, three weeks. 6. "The Killer's Game," starring Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Pom Klementieff and Ben Kingsley in the Action Thriller, $2.6 million in 2,623 theaters, opening. 7. "Alien: Romulus" dropped three places, $2.4 million in 1,950 theaters, $101.2 million, five weeks. 8. "It Ends with Us" dropped three places, $2 million in 2,209 theaters, $144.8 million, six weeks. 9. "The Forge" dropped three places, $2 million in 1,614 theaters, $24.1 million, four weeks. 10. "God's Not Dead: In God We Trust," starring Samaire Armstrong, Dean Cain, Ray Wise, Scott Baio, Isaiah Washington, and Charlene Tilton in the Drama, $1.4 million in 1,392 theaters. opening.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Sept. 15 is subject to change.

Unreel, Sept. 20:

"Transformers One," PG: Josh Cooley directs the voice talents of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi in the Action, Adventure Science Fiction Animation film. The origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron is told.

"The Substance," R: Coralie Fargeat directs Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid and Demi Moore in the Horror film. A celebrity uses a black-market drug to become younger.

"Never Let Go," R: Alexandre Aja directs Halle Berry, Anthony B. Jenkins and Stephanie Lavigne in the Horror Thriller. A family is haunted by an evil spirit.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Sept. 15 is subject to change.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes