This month of September, moviegoers and cinephiles are in for a spooky treat at Eastwood City’s Ultra 7 Cinema with the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 horror comedy classic released in theaters last September 4, and fans can now enjoy Tim Burton’s macabre masterpiece at the premier cinema in Quezon City’s entertainment capital.
Fans of the original cult favorite are thrilled to see the return of Michael Keaton as the mischievous titular character, alongside Winona Ryder reprising her role as Lydia Deetz. Joining the iconic duo are Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. This nostalgic revival promises to deliver both a trip down memory lane and a fresh, entertaining experience for new generations.
The Ultra 7 cinema, pioneer of the Ultra Cinema concept in the Philippines, features the iconic plush reclining chairs with adjustable positions along with unparalleled butler service and unlimited popcorn and drinks — the perfect setting for enjoying the eccentric gothic dark comedy.
Be sure to catch Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the Eastwood Cinema’s Ultra 7! Book your tickets now at megaworldcinemas.com.
Eastwood City, the pioneer township of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and Retail Asia Awards Winner for Mall of the Year 2024, stands as the entertainment capital of Quezon City, offering a vibrant mix of residential spaces, world-class retail and dining establishments, dynamic alfresco spaces, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
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I’ll be the first to admit that I did not want a ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel. I loved the film when it first came out in the 80s. It was weird and out of the box for that era. I saw the film again two years ago on a streaming site and I was so sad that I felt the film did not age well. The pacing was off, the story a little disjointed, and with only the Day-O (Banana song) sequence to be the only sequence to have kept its charm. 36 years since the last film, a sequel seemed like a cash grab. I couldn’t imagine what they could do with the movie to make it feel fresh and new, aside from the fact that I haven’t really liked anything Tim Burton has done since ‘Big Fish.’
To my utter surprise, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is a wild, crazy ride that is whimsical and left-of-center while somehow finding a grounded emotional core that keeps it from being just mindless fun. This is the best that Tim Burton has done in the past decade because he returned to old school aesthetics. Gone are the bright CGI effects that dominated his style like in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ or ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.’ He opts for puppetry, low-tech green screen effects, and practical sets that gives the film a charm that matches toe-for-toe with the hilarity of the film’s tone.
Set 36 years after the events of the first film, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ follows Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), a widow who works as a television host for a show about haunted houses. Her gift for seeing ghosts has given her a job but it has also created a rift between her and her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). When her father dies, Lydia takes her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and her boyfriend and her show’s producer, Rory (Justin Theroux) to fetch Astrid and to return to Winter River to bury Lydia’s father and to pack up their old house where the events of the first film happened. Throughout this period, she is suffering from visitations from Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), who is still in the afterlife, and still trying to get married to Lydia so he can return to the mortal plane.
At the core of this film is the complex relationship of Lydia, Delia, and Astrid. Astrid doesn’t believe in the supernatural and is angry at her mom for being a medium on tv. Astrid thinks her mom is faking it because, if she could see ghosts, she wonders why she’s never seen or talked to her dead father. Delia, on the other hand, walks on eggshells around Lydia. They never had the best relationship even since the first film and now she doesn’t know how to be a stepmom to Lydia, when she obviously doesn’t approve of Rory.
Things take a turn for the worst Rory, in a foolish attempt to help Lydia exorcise her past trauma summons Beetlejuice, everything turns chaotic, and Lydia must face her past if she wants to save her daughter.
Interestingly enough, ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ takes its time with its story, re-establishing us to the characters while introducing us to the new ones. It takes a whole hour before the multiple storylines come together. There’s a storyline involving Monica Belluci as Delores, the first wife of Beetlejuice, which is completely unnecessary to the whole plot and can be removed but everything else comes wonderfully together after the one-hour mark and we see Lydia and Delia and Astrid all grow from this crazy adventure.
The film is not afraid to be silly while tackling, albeit in a whimsical manner, topics like grief and complex family dynamics. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and allows all of its actors to have fun – including Willem Dafoe, for his hilarious take on a former B movie actor turned detective in the afterlife – that the effect is infectious. It leans on the 80s and 90s for its aesthetic and music and it manages audience expectations quite well that if you surrender to crazy antics, you’ll have a lot of fun.
I didn’t want this sequel but I’m very surprised at how much fun I had while watching it. It’s great to see Keaton and Ryder and O’ Hara having a ball.
After 36 years, Tim Burton has returned to the eerie, hilarious world of “Beetlejuice” with his much-anticipated sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Premiering on August 28 at the Venice Film Festival, this new chapter in the Beetlejuice saga wowed audiences, earning a nearly four-minute standing ovation. The film, which screened out of competition, reunites Burton with original stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, while introducing fresh faces like Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe.
Critical Acclaim: A True Return to Form
The reviews are in, and it’s clear—Burton has delivered a winner. Collider was thrilled, noting, “It’s truly exciting to see Burton’s return to form, making something both grotesque and funny. He appears to be energized and having fun, something we haven’t seen in quite a while.”
The Hollywood Reporter echoed this sentiment, celebrating the film’s “zippy pacing, buoyant energy and steady stream of laugh-out-loud moments hint at the joy Burton appears to have found in revisiting this world, and for anyone who loved the first movie, it’s contagious. That applies also to the actors, all of whom warm to the dizzying lunacy.”
Meanwhile, Time magazine praised the movie’s wild ride, “The movie carries you along on its wriggling magic carpet of mayhem – and features one sequence of creepy-elegant-funny cracked poetry that’s classic, old-school Burton.” They also praised Keaton’s portrayal once again of the ghost with the most and said seeing the actor in full costume again as Beetlejuice was “like greeting a decrepit, kvetching old friend, the kind you keep around just for entertainment value. Michael Keaton clearly adores this character; once again, he pours pure love into Beetlejuice’s maniacal, depraved soul.”
Deadline Hollywood kept it simple yet enthusiastic, declaring the movie “a blast just to watch” and “funny, all the time.”
Tim Burton’s Freak Flag Flies High
Empire magazine, always keen on Burton’s distinctive style, appreciated the moments when the film truly embraced its weirdness. “The film is strongest when it remembers it’s a Tim Burton film and has license to get weird,” said Empire in their review. “While it’s slicker and less homemade-feeling than the 1988 vintage, there are still flashes of B-movie brilliance: a stop-motion animation sequence, some delightful shrunken-head prosthetic effects, and two demented birth scenes with the most ghoulish prosthetic baby this side of ‘American Sniper.’ It’s moments like this, when Burton lets his freak flag truly fly, that ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ earns its stripes.’
A New Adventure in Winter River
The sequel plunges us back into the eerie town of Winter River, where the Deetz family faces yet another supernatural crisis. Lydia (Ryder), still haunted by Beetlejuice (Keaton), must deal with her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), who stumbles upon the portal to the Afterlife. Chaos ensues as the mischievous Beetlejuice is unleashed once more, bringing his signature brand of mayhem to both realms.
Don’t Miss the Madness!
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” will creep into Philippine cinemas on September 4, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It’s a must-see for fans of the original and anyone who loves a good mix of horror, humor, and pure Burton madness. Mark your calendars—this is one cinematic experience you won’t want to miss! #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice
Director Tim Burton is back with the highly anticipated sequel to his 1988 horror-comedy classic, “Beetlejuice.” The new film, aptly titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” introduces a fresh cast while reviving the beloved, bizarre world of the original. Burton is thrilled with the blend of old and new faces, highlighting the collaborative atmosphere on set. “It’s like we’re doing this thing that nobody really knows what we’re doing – and within that framework, everybody is trying to make it something,” he shares, expressing his joy in working with a cast that brought their unique energy and creativity to the project.
Jenna Ortega steps into the world of the supernatural as Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) 16-year-old daughter. Struggling with the loss of her father and feeling out of place at her boarding school, Astrid is not thrilled about moving to a small town with her famous mom and eccentric grandmother. Ortega, who reunites with Burton after their successful collaboration on “Wednesday,” reflects on her role, saying, “I’ve done this a couple times now, where I’ve joined a franchise that I never pictured myself joining,” says Ortega. “So, definitely, go back, do your homework, study.” Ortega is “really, really grateful” to be a part of the world of “Beetlejuice.” “It was such a privilege, and I don’t know what I did to be in this position or be on this project,” she says. “But it felt like I was thanking my lucky stars for it every day, because it was like a dream come true. And I was working with all of these people that I respected and admired and looked up to for years, and they were all so wonderful. And I got to work with one of my favorite directors again, which is incredible.”
Justin Theroux brings humor and complexity to his role as Rory, Lydia’s manager and fiancé. Described as a sensitive yet scheming character, Rory is deeply invested in Lydia’s career and his vision of who she should be. Theroux enjoyed the playful nature of the set, sharing, “It was fun… It was mostly goofing around. And like all great films you enjoy doing, there was a lot of laughter between takes. This is such an incredible cast. I came onto the set one day and we were shooting a big scene, and they had this little tent set up for us where they had chairs: Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe… And I just thought, ‘Well, this is a deep bench of great actors.’”
Monica Bellucci plays Delores, a mysterious figure from Beetlejuice’s past, who is on a mission to find him in the Afterlife. Bellucci describes her character as one who says a lot without speaking much, likening her performance to that of a mime. She found the experience of working with Burton and the talented cast to be deeply rewarding, noting, “My character says a lot without really speaking that much. I felt really like a mime,” says Bellucci of Delores. “I’m so honored to be part of this amazing cast, and to enter into Tim’s fantastic and magical world… the atmosphere on set is very calm and beautiful. And his energy, it’s really inspiring for everybody.”
Willem Dafoe takes on the role of Wolf Jackson, a former actor turned head of the Afterlife Crimes Unit. Jackson, who died while playing a tough cop on TV, now continues his character’s no-nonsense persona in the afterlife. Dafoe speaks highly of his experience on set, especially working with the returning cast. “With the returning cast and their relationships, I’m a supporting role and I’m on their turf. But that’s okay. I was happy to come and be a part of their world… To be in the room with them is to be in the room with people who are excited to be back together and playing around. So, it was a real pleasure.”
In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River after an unexpected tragedy. Lydia’s life is once again upended when her rebellious daughter, Astrid, discovers a portal to the Afterlife. With Beetlejuice lurking in the shadows, chaos is sure to ensue when someone inevitably says his name three times. The film, penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with a story by Seth Grahame-Smith, promises a blend of nostalgia and fresh thrills that will delight both old fans and new viewers.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in the Philippines, will hit cinemas nationwide on September 4. Don’t miss the chance to experience the mayhem and magic of the Afterlife once more. #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice
The mischief-making demon in black-and-white stripes is back! Michael Keaton returns as Beetlejuice, the bio-exorcist with a penchant for chaos, in the much-anticipated sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” This film, directed by the visionary Tim Burton, reunites original cast members Winona Ryder (Lydia Deetz) and Catherine O’Hara (Delia Deetz) with newcomers Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. The film promises to deliver the same dead(ly) charm, ghastly humor, and quirky antics that made the 1988 original a cult classic.
“It’s great when you see people that you haven’t seen for a while, and then you go back into it,” says Burton. “I didn’t realize it’s been like decades. You know, it felt like yesterday, and it’s quite amazing when that happens. It was great. Honestly, it was strangely emotional seeing them all together again. But that’s what made it a special thing.”
Despite the success of the original film, discussions of a sequel floated around for years without much traction. Burton reveals that what ultimately drew him back was the idea of revisiting the Deetz family 35 years later. “It’s like, what happened to the Deetz family? You know, it’s 35 years later, what happened to Lydia, this interesting teenager? And so you start to use your own life experience: you’re an interesting teenager. What happens when you become an adult? Do you have children? What are your relationships like? What have you become? Things happen to all of us as we get older and change – relationships, children – all those things. That was the nucleus of it for me that got me back interested in it – what happened to the Deetz family. It was quite emotional for me to revisit these characters.”
The Plot Thickens
In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the Deetz family is drawn back to their eerie roots in Winter River following an unexpected family tragedy. Lydia’s life is thrown into turmoil when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), stumbles upon the mysterious model of the town in the attic, accidentally reopening the portal to the Afterlife. With Beetlejuice lurking just a name away, chaos is sure to ensue as the demon prepares to unleash his signature brand of mayhem once more.
The screenplay, crafted by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (“Wednesday”), with a story developed alongside Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO® Batman Movie”), brings fresh twists to the beloved characters while paying homage to the original film.
A Nervous Return
Michael Keaton, who made Beetlejuice one of his most iconic roles, admits he was nervous about stepping back into the character’s shoes. “I was nervous, really nervous, because the choice that I made, that was a big leap. It was a risky move that happened to have worked. So then, you think, ‘Oh geez, can I pull that off again after all these years?’ I think there was way more pressure on this one – we didn’t really want to mess this up. I was very nervous about it and me. But we hope we got there. I think we did.”
Keaton was especially thrilled to reunite with his original co-stars, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. “I was praying they would be back in it; you really need Catherine and Winona. To have them back was really fun. Winona is the sweetest and she just fit right back in… And Catherine’s a pal of mine – this is the third time we’ve worked together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Winona Ryder, who reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, echoes Keaton’s sentiments, describing the experience as “startlingly similar” to the original film. “startlingly similar. I don’t want to say even better, but… Well, these are the same characters, but they’re just older. Having been through the first one and the effect that it had, there was pressure in coming back to it, but there was also this complete trust, because it’s Tim. And also, I was going into something really, really brilliant and really special, because I’d been there when I was 15. And that’s all Tim, and that’s all Tim’s heart. His heart is just so fun, and it’s such a beautiful playground of emotion and humor, and everybody lives inside of it. You get to live in it for that time and it’s a really, really beautiful place to be.”
For Catherine O’Hara, who plays Delia Deetz, the “Beetlejuice” world holds a special place in her heart, not just for the fun but for personal reasons as well. “I met my husband [production designer Bo Welch] on the original, so that’s my first thought when I think, ‘What does that movie mean to me?’” she shares. “He designed the sets for the first movie. And Tim made him ask me out. So, I love them both.” Working with Burton, Keaton and Ryder on the sequel was “so fun! Like no time has passed,” says O’Hara. “It’s got the same great, loose, fun vibe that the first movie had. And that comes from the top… Tim and his great producers, who let him do what he does best.”
Mark Your Calendars
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, is set to haunt cinemas on September 4. Get ready to say his name three times and witness the return of everyone’s favorite ghost with the most! #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return to their home in Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his unique brand of mayhem.
Tim Burton, a genre unto himself, directs from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Wednesday”), with a story by Gough, Millar, and Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO® Batman Movie”), based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson. The film’s producers are Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, and Burton, with Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Gough, Millar, Brad Pitt, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, Pete Chiappetta, Andrew Lary, Anthony Tittanegro, Grahame-Smith, and David Katzenberg serving as executive producers.
Set to creep into Philippine cinemas on September 4, this long-awaited sequel promises to deliver a blend of humor, horror, and the signature Burtonesque style that fans adore.
After an unexpected family tragedy, the Deetz family finds themselves back in Winter River. Lydia Deetz’s life takes a chaotic turn when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, stumbles upon a mysterious model of the town in their attic, inadvertently opening a portal to the Afterlife. Chaos ensues as Beetlejuice is summoned once again, ready to unleash his unique brand of mayhem.
With a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (known for “Wednesday”), and a story by Gough, Millar, and Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO® Batman Movie”), the film promises to stay true to the quirky, darkly comedic roots of the original. Tim Burton directs and also produces alongside Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, and others.
The film is set to be a visual and narrative treat, with Tim Burton’s distinctive direction bringing the quirky and fantastical world of Beetlejuice back to life.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” hits Philippine cinemas on September 4, 2024, and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company. Mark your calendars for this eagerly anticipated release!
