“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” – Review. Delightful Tim Burton at his best [WYBÓR WRONY]

“Beetlejuice” directed by Tim Burton quickly became one of the most popular comedies of the 1980s. In 2008, the American Film Institute published a series of lists to celebrate its centennial. On the list of the best comedies, “Beetlejuice” was ranked 88th. Burton's now-iconic black comedy is not only terribly funny, but also takes a deep look at human emotions.

Beetlejuice hit theaters just three years after Burton's feature debut, the critically acclaimed and commercially successful family comedy Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Burton was only 30 years old when Betelgeuse (played by Michael Keaton) hit the big screen, and Beetlejuice solidified his position as one of the most interesting, eccentric filmmakers of his generation. Almost three decades after his theatrical debut, we know that Burton made films on his own terms, even if they didn't always appeal to audiences or critics.

“Beetlejuice” is easy to remember. Even now – more than three decades after its premiere – it is just as enjoyable to watch. Just remember the dance scene at the Deetz's dinner party, when Catherine O'Hara's Delia starts dancing to Harry Belafonte's “Day-O (The Banana Song).” It is one of the most memorable dance scenes in the history of cinema. And “Beetlejuice” is not short of delightful moments. It is no wonder that in the late 80s, two scripts were commissioned as sequels to the cult classic. However, as time passed, it turned out that the creators of “Beetlejuice” would not be returning to the haunted house in Winter River anytime soon.

As a result – I have the impression – it was a good thing. Although in the past 15 years there have been many reports in the media that a sequel to Burton's classic would be made, they have aroused as much excitement as anxiety. And since Burton's recent films have not kept up with the level to which we have become accustomed, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” did not look the best either.

As in “Beetlejuice”, in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” the key place is the house in Winter River, Connecticut, where years ago (in “Beetlejuice”) the Deetz family moved in – Charles (Jeffrey Jones) with his second wife Delia (Catherine O'Hara) and teenage daughter from his first marriage Lydia (Winona Ryder). Delia and Lydia with their daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) return to this house after many years.

Lydia and Astrid have a difficult relationship. Teenager Astrid can't cope after her father's death and blames her mother for not having time for her. Lydia focuses on her television career and her relationship with her new partner Rory (Justin Theroux) – both her manager and the producer of her TV show. Lydia is increasingly haunted by the demon from years ago – Beetlejuice (Keaton).

Until finally, the paths of the brave dead man, Lydia, Delia and Astrid cross. Along the way, they meet a familiar (and viewers') real estate agent Jane Butterfield (Amy Nuttall) and a new character Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe). As for the plot – that's it.

Many – and rightly so – are delighted with the character of Beetlejuice in the version of Michael Keaton. However, Catherine O'Hara deserves special attention, she steals the whole show. The Canadian legend proves once again that she deserves all the awards and the greatest admiration from the audience. It is hard to believe that she has not even received a nomination for Oscar. And there's never enough of O'Hara on the big and small screen.

Willem Dafoe has proven once again that he is one of the greatest actors in both drama and comedy. The actor will probably receive an Oscar nomination for the film “Kinds of Kindness”, but his Wolf Jackson in “Beetlejuice…” deserves recognition.

The screenplay for Burton's latest film was written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who came up with the entire story with Seth Grahame-Smith based on a story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson (the creators of the original story that was the basis for the screenplay for “Beetlejuice” by McDowell and Warren Skaaren). Complicated? Maybe. The point is that new screenwriters were hired for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”: Gough and Millar (creators of the series “Wednesday”), who reached for characters invented by McDowell and Wilson.

This is important because in creating “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, Gough and Millar showed great respect for the original. Thanks to this, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is not a stereotypical example of a sequel. Well-known, iconic characters return to the screen in a somewhat independent story, which can be watched just as well without knowledge of “Beetlejuice”. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is like a masterful example of a screen adaptation of a literary work. In this case, the original spirit of the original has been preserved – literally and figuratively – and at the same time packed with new, often subversive ideas. Because unlike many film sequels, the new adventures of Beetlejuice have nothing of the microwaved cutlet. This is extremely enjoyable film entertainment at its best.

What makes it so special? I would venture to suggest that the creators had a great time on set. The joy of creation, which was perhaps present during the making of this film, is easily transmitted during the screening. It is hard to resist the impression that Burton himself had as much fun on set as the cinema audience did with the final effect. In “Beetlejuice…” we get one hundred percent Tim Burton in Tim Burton. Here we have the macabre, the grotesque, elements of action cinema and playing with various aesthetics that the filmmaker has already reached for in the past.

“Beetlejuice…” does not cease to entertain for almost two hours. In order not to give too much away, “Day-O (The Banana Song)” will appear in a new, surprising context. There will be an original dance scene, this time to Richard Harris' hit “MacArthur Park”. Here, great credit goes to Danny Elfman, who is responsible for the music for most of Burton's films. Elfman did not disappoint this time either, creating a compilation of hits from years ago and new compositions.

And one more thing: Burton wouldn't be himself if he didn't weave thought-provoking and humanly important threads into this grotesque, at times absurd and macabre story. After all, that's the strength of his films: they're funny and at the same time they look at unprocessed grief, loss that's hard to accept or the completely natural need to be accepted and loved.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” directed by Tim Burton was the opening film of the 81st Venice International Film Festival. It hits Polish cinemas on Friday, September 6. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a Warner Bros. production, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery – the owner of tvn24.pl, among others.