‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ reboot is like a ‘soul train’ for movie goers who remember the original

For this reviewer, it was a pleasant walk down memory lane, watching some of the original cast turn up in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, 36 years after the original Beetlejuice hit theaters.

Sensibilities have changed, but the after world and Michael Keaton, our titular character, are as always, ready for showtime. Yes, Keaton is back and so is Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and some of our favorite ghouls.

But some new blood (and that pun IS intended) gave the film a nice jolt thanks to the likes of Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, a delightfully smarmy Justin Theroux and a terrific turn by Arthur Conti.

The plot: Lydia Deetz (Rider), who escaped being a child bride to Beetlejuice 36 years ago, is now a widow, TV ghost hunter and mom to churlish teenager Astrid (Jenna Ortega). She hasn’t seen Beetlejuice in awhile, but she does see lots of ghosts.

Her producer (Theroux) sees dollar signs and her daughter sees a con job. When Beetlejuice starts popping up again, comical shenanigans and all, he brings a little baggage – Bellucci. She’s literally in that baggage, and when she climbs out and pulls herself together, it’s probably the most memorable scene of the film.

Enter Arthur Conti as Jenna’s love interest. This kid is GOOD and oozes all the likability you need to temper teen angst. Is this film a laugh a minute? No. But it’s a comfortable walk down memory lane.

This is a soul train waiting for you to climb aboard for some pleasant humor. The afterlife contains some scary images, but they fly out at you and disappear, like eyeballs in shock in a Tex Avery cartoon.