It’s still hard to believe that there now exists a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 weirdo classic ‘Beetlejuice.’ It’s even harder to believe that the movie is again directed by Burton, stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara returning to their iconic roles, and that the filmmakers actually brought in Jenna Ortega as Ryder’s Lydia character’s daughter. Maybe what’s hardest to believe of all is that the end result is a film that is pretty entertaining despite seeming to be all but manifested by fans. It signals a reinvigorated Tim Burton as this 35+ year check-in combines some of his old school practical visual effects and stop motion staples in support of some truly, delightfully weird set pieces.

The inciting incident in this lega-sequel is the accidental death of Charles Deetz, father of Lydia and husband of Delia (O’Hara, still the secret MVP of this franchise). It’s crazy that Burton and his screenwriters spend so much time and lean in to the fact that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Jones won’t be appearing in this film by flashing back to his death scene via a violent stop motion sequence that evokes his 80s joints. What happens with his ghostly body is best left to experience as it just continues the gag. It’s this type of irreverent yet weirdly innocuous ghastly humor that showcases the Tim Burton of old, despite some very clunky screenplay machinations in the beginning of the movie.

The setups for the original characters and the new additions are as cliched as many sequels. Sure, the idea of Winona’s grown Lydia cashing in on her unique ability to see ghosts with a crass empire called “Ghost House”, is kind of interesting, but still pretty basic (and does seem to represent an inversion of her character). It’s implied that she fell into this financially successful if hollow trap via grief over her deceased husband and father to Astrid (Jenna Ortega doing a bland version of her fun ‘Wednesday’ persona), pill-popping, and exploitation by a therapy-speeched, phony manager / boyfriend named Rory (Justin Theroux, going for it and having a blast). Perhaps this could have been explored further with her severed connection to the Maitlands (Gina Davis & Alex Baldwin don’t appear in the film), but that aspect simply gets a lazy write-off. More fun is the incredible success of O’Hara’s Delia, who despite retaining some of her insufferable pretension, has obviously come to love and respect her step-daughter (as established in the coda of the original ‘Beetlejuice’). There’s also Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s re-animated ex-wife and Willem Dafoe on the case as a ghost detective, neither which works much at all beyond creative designs and plot extenders.

Most importantly, what of the man himself, the Ghost with the Most, Michael Keaton’s singular Beetlejuice? Thankfully, the actor and the character haven’t lost a step. Like the original, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ truly comes alive when the main couple confront the demon/ghost on his own terms. In a manic scene of horrific, gory delight, Beetle acts as a relationship counselor to Lydia and Rory. What threatens to be a retread of the Maitlands’ meeting him within the town model in their attic becomes something else here – an uproarious scene that will leave the real Burton-heads cackling and may make others run for the exits. It’s scenes like these that keep the film moving along at a fun, brisk pace, even if it lacks the momentary melancholic sorrow and real scares that elevate the original. Even the lamer subplots set up earlier eventually pan out and twist in playful and interesting ways. It all culminates with a finale and epilogue that are inspired and really required this troupe of acting talent to let loose theatrically in ways that showcase their talent and bring out some of the best stuff from Burton in decades . . .

Directed By: Tim Burton

Written By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, & Seth Grahame-Smith

Running Time: 105 min.

Rated: PG-13

* * * (out of 4 stars) – OR- B