When I tell you that I’m anxiously waiting for the “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” movie to debut at Schulman’s this week – you’d better believe that I’m devouring as much media coverage about it as possible!
This sequel has most of the original main characters reviving their roles along with Tim Burton directing and Danny Elfman composing for the film, too.
Now, the first “Beetlejuice” film came out in 1988 when I was only a few months old.
However, I remember it being a family staple from an early age regardless.
In fact, it’s become a tradition to watch during the fall – especially around Halloween.
It joined other classics like “Ghostbusters” (1984), “Ghostbusters II” (1989), “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), “Hocus Pocus” (1993), and “Casper” (1995) in that seasonal rotation, too.
And while I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea to enjoy such films, these movies have become iconic and comforting for me.
It’s always seemed to magically pair creepy with comedy and I firmly believe the practical effects have stood up to the test of time.
It might have also had an impact on how my taste in comedy formed over time, too.
Aside from that, it also spawned an animated cartoon series that ran for four seasons from 1989-1991.
I can honestly count on one hand
the number of my peers who remember the show at all.
And that includes my childhood best friend Sara!
I mean, I own all the episodes on DVD, so, I was able to lend them to her to refresh her memory.
Plus, I’m always trying to persuade mom to add more Beetlejuice Halloween décor to our usual options.
The movie franchise also grew with two live-action movie-based videogames and one based on the cartoon.
Plus, in 2018, the Beetlejuice musical took Broadway!
I’ve even formed my own take on Beetlejuice as “Betty Juice” for the Bay City Pilot Club’s annual “Celebrity Waiter Fundraiser” in the past few years.
So, to say that Beetlejuice has had an impact on my life is a bit of an understatement.
But, I’m thrilled to hear that Burton made Beetlejuice a much more pivotal character in this sequel than the original movie.
Depending on which source you choose to believe, Beetlejuice had anywhere from about 15-18 total minutes of screen time in the first film.
I always found that factoid a little weird because the movie is named after the character!
Still, I’m trying to avoid spoilers for the movie because I want to get the full experience of seeing it the first time rather than wasting my attention waiting for something specific that other movie critics or pop culture aficionados have noticed ahead of me.
I’m also trying to convince mom that I need one of those limited edition sequel popcorn tubs and possibly the plastic cup that pairs with it.
So, here’s to having my fingers crossed that the 35-year wait for a Beetlejuice sequel is worth it.
After all, if it’s a bomb or a letdown you’ll get to read why in my “Reel Reviews” movie column next week
