Tim Burton’s beloved film Beetlejuice made a memorable return as it opened the Venice Film Festival, marking the start of this year’s cinematic festivities. The 1988 classic sees Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as the mischievous ghost, bringing the same energy and devilish charm as in the original.
The film also welcomes back Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder in their original roles. O’Hara, now celebrated for Schitt’s Creek, brings a larger-than-life presence as the eccentric Delia Deetz, while Ryder, enjoying a resurgence from Stranger Things, portrays Lydia with a blend of nervous tics and maternal strength. Lydia’s teenage daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega), gets caught up in supernatural complications, echoing Ortega’s previous role in Burton’s Wednesday.
The narrative picks up with Lydia, now a successful psychic mediator with her own TV show, navigating a strained relationship with Astrid and dealing with the aftermath of a family death. Beetlejuice, ever the persistent ghost, finds himself in a new predicament with Delores (Monica Bellucci), a formidable femme fatale from his past. The film introduces a lively ensemble of both living and undead characters, including a notable performance by Willem Dafoe.
Danny Elfman returns to compose the score, complemented by a soundtrack featuring 1970s classics. Despite some criticism about the film’s lack of racial diversity, it offers a mix of humor, romance, and macabre elements, with occasional fourth-wall breaks by Beetlejuice himself.
While some scenes, particularly the grand finale, could have been trimmed, the film provides a delightful romp through the supernatural. Tim Burton proves once again that he uniquely excels in blending death with entertainment, leaving audiences both amused and enchanted.
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