Beetlejuice Recap: A Look Back at the 5 Best Moments From 1988 Classic Amid Release of Sequel

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As a child of the ’80s who grew up with the original Beetlejuice, I can confidently say that this upcoming sequel has me jumping for joy! The memories of Lydia Deetz, Barbara and Adam Maitland, and the chaotic antics of Betelgeuse have been etched in my mind like a ghost in a photograph.

The long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice 2, directed by Tim Burton and featuring an impressive cast including Jenna Ortega and Michael Keaton, is set to premiere on September 6, 2024. After 36 years in the making, anticipation for this follow-up to the 1988 horror comedy classic is growing. The original film was a unique mix of eerie, funny, and fantastical elements.

Considered a cult horror comedy, Beetlejuice is one of those films that continue to entertain audiences of all ages till now. The film revolves around Lydia Deetz, a goth-loving teenager who moves into a new house with her parents only to discover that the house is haunted by a deceased couple, Barbara and Adam Maitland. She seeks help from a bioexorcist named Betelgeuse but follows a series of hilarious encounters. As we await the release of Beetlejuice 2, let’s revisit some of the best scenes from the original movie:

The Waiting Room For The Dead

In a humorous turn of events, the recently departed couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, find themselves in an unfamiliar setting, awaiting guidelines for their new state. This peculiar scenario takes place in a seemingly bureaucratic environment, where they encounter other deceased individuals – a woman slightly tipsy, a man with a shrunken head, a charred fellow, and various other spirits. Amidst the chaos, the Maitlands are trying to make sense of their new reality.

Betelgeuse’s take on the obituary

In an informal prelude to Betelgeuse’s character introduction, we find him idly poring over a newspaper in a secluded spot, searching for potential job opportunities. As he leafed through the pages, fate led him to the obituary section where, coincidentally, the Maitlands were mentioned. Although he found them pleasant, he considered them not very intelligent. Later on, he couldn’t help but chuckle at some fresh signs of impending trouble.

Betelgeuse and Maitlands first encounter 

The initial encounter between Michael Keaton’s character, Betelgeuse, and the Maitlands (Adam and Barbara) is nothing short of bizarre! This peculiar meeting takes place when Adam and Barbara are reduced in size inside Adam’s model neighborhood, where they stumble upon Betelgeuse’s grave. After giving them quite a scare by popping out of his coffin, the part-time bioexorcist, with a mischievous grin, introduces himself to the surprised couple who are now dealing with the ‘deceased’.

Oh-So-Scary-Maitlands

At the bureaucracy, the Maitlands’ initial effort at haunting the Deetzes is comically unsuccessful. After receiving encouragement from their case manager to scare the Deetzes and make them vacate the house, the couple makes an attempt at creating terrifying expressions. Unfortunately, their haunting attempt took a grim turn, causing their faces to appear unsettling instead. Consequently, they are no longer frightening but have become a source of amusement for the spectators.

An unholy wedding

In an unexpected twist of events, Betelgeuse and Lydia find themselves standing at an altar for a humorous wedding ceremony, much to the delight of some and the dismay of others. While Betelgeuse is overjoyed about the prospect of marriage, Lydia is filled with dread. Throughout the ceremony, as Betelgeuse struggles to see it through, the Maitlands step in to save Lydia from this unwanted union by invoking a traditional ritual and effectively declaring the potential groom unavailable for marriage.

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2024-09-02 11:38