'Beetlejuice’ sequel a flabby-but-fun diversion

After 36 years, the “Juice” is loose again.

The 1988 fantasy-comedy classic "Beetlejuice" established director Tim Burton as a one-of-a-kind auteur. Despite limited screentime, Michael Keaton’s titular character became a pop culture icon. While a sequel might have been easy back in, say, 1990, the expectations surrounding a follow-up have only grown over the years, to the point where any sensible filmmaker might say, “Why bother?”

Burton has never been a sensible filmmaker.

Five years after the misfire of his live action but CGI-heavy “Dumbo,” Burton appears rejuvenated by the tangible and fantastical practical visual effects in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a sequel that matches the wildly gothic and fantastically gross production design and makeup effects of the original film. While the screenplay haphazardly stiches together four undercooked plotlines, the playful performances by both original cast and fresh faces make the sequel a worthy-enough piece of entertainment.

Armed with her ability to communicate with the dead, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder, in a welcome leading role) has monetized her supernatural visions into a syndicated talk show. Meanwhile, her daughter, Astrid (played by “Wednesday” breakout Jenna Ortega), doesn’t believe her mother can communicate with the dead, especially since she’s never been able to reach Astrid’s long-deceased father.

Lydia soon learns about the death of her father via stepmother Delia (a returning Catherine O’Hara, in glorious comedic form), and the three generations of Deetz women return to the home of the original film (where Keaton’s disgusting ghost Betelgeuse terrorized the family and tried to marry the teenage Lydia in a bid to resurrect himself).

Problems arise when Betelgeuse is faced with the wrath of a long-lost, soul-sucking bride (Monica Bellucci), forcing the Ghost with the Most to contact Lydia for help. More plot spills into “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” via a predictable teenage romance for Astrid, as well as from Rory (Justin Theroux), Lydia’s deceitful and manipulative boyfriend. Plus, Delia wants to create an art exhibit anchored by the grief for her recently perished husband.

Until the plotlines converge in the second half, the film struggles to build momentum and humor from these disparate threads. While Keaton’s Betelgeuse is withheld again for lengthy stretches, his early appearances prevent the other story threads from making a necessary impression. After a promising opening scene, Bellucci’s character (existing as mostly an antagonist for Betelgeuse) fails to successfully integrate into the other story elements as well.

Luckily, Burton fills “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” with a plethora of visually delightful horrors. Mixing elaborate sets with playful (and disgusting) prosthetics, the sequel matches the ghoulish fun of the original. Keaton remains a chaotic comedic force, and O’Hara is continuously hilarious in all her scenes, even when her own plot frustratingly splits off from the rest of the cast.

The new faces largely deliver too. Ortega’s performance adds an important contrast to Ryder’s Lydia, even after Astrid becomes entangled in the film’s most frustrating plotline. Theroux is funny in his one-note role, and Willem Dafoe is magnificent in his limited screentime as a deceased actor-turned-afterlife-police-chief.

The film’s climax attempts to string everything together while leaning on a few too many of the comedic beats from the first film, though credit to Burton for staging of a bonkers rendition of “MacArthur Park” to end the film. It may not be original, but the kookiness works.

In the age of constant reboots, retreads and legacy sequels, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” probably falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. But as a means of reviving the moody, handmade and imaginative Burton aesthetic, consider it a success.

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Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.

    This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Jenna Ortega, left, and Winona Ryder in a scene from "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."