Going into this movie, I didn’t expect it to be any good. I assumed it was going to be another studio cash-grab via a sequel with no worth.

To my surprise when the credits rolled, I left the theater very pleased with the film.

Thirty-six years after the original haunting, the Deetz’s return to Winter River, Connecticut to celebrate the life of a recently deceased family member. A lot of time has changed in between the two films, for both the better and worse.

For starters, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) now has a daughter. And hosts a supernatural talk show.

Astrid Deetz (Jenna Ortega) serves as a mix between her mother and “out-of-the-picture” deceased father with clothing reminiscent of Lydia. Her attitude and ambitions take after her father’s drive to help save the planet through science.

The differences between mother and daughter lead to a divide between the two, as they juxtapose each other. But there is another conflict they both share.

Between Lydia and Astrid is the presence of Rory (Justin Theroux), the manager of Lydia’s show. Rory aims to take up a stepdad role in the family which Astrid is not interested in.

These two plot points lead to an interesting dynamic between mother and daughter, as Astrid refuses to believe ghosts are real, leading her to resent Lydia and claim her show, “Ghost House,” the original name for the 1998 film, is a load of crap.

Astrid also harps at her mom over the decision to continue being with Rory, as it’s very clear that his goal is just to make more money as Lydia’s husband than as her manager.

An inclusion in the family that’s more welcome is the return of Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara), Lydia’s stepmom, who has improved her relationship with Lydia since the first film, with the two of them growing closer over time. While her husband Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones) doesn’t have his face shown in the film, possibly due to his legal troubles, his presence serves as a subplot for Delia that doesn’t feel necessary.

I can forgive the Lydia/Charles subplot for being in the film, as it revolves around two characters I know and care about, but the same can’t be said for the Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe)/Delores (Monica Bellucci) subplot. Wolf Jackson is an afterlife detective who is investigating paranormal murders caused by Delores as she aims to reunite with her love and namesake of the film Mr. Juice (Michael Keaton).

Dafoe and Bellucci are both great actors, but their subplot slowed the film down a lot in the beginning and caused the film’s final minutes to feel a bit rushed. It also doesn’t help that removing this subplot from the film doesn’t change the way the plot plays out.

Speaking of great actors, Keaton as the “ghost with the most” is spectacular to see in action once again. Keaton returns with the same chaotic and eccentric comedy he had in the original film to the point where it feels like the sequel picks up almost days after the original with how close they are in spirit.

However, the best actor in the sequel to me must be Ortega.

In interviews leading up to the film, the cast were asked why they waited until now for the sequel to which the cast responded unanimously with, “We had to wait for Jenna to be born,” After watching the film, I agree. I can’t think of another actor who can bounce between so many dark and emotional ranges the same way she can.

It’s a shame that those emotional scenes are short-lived, as the Wolf Jackson/Delores subplot takes up the runtime.

Removing these scenes from the film would’ve been a much better call, as it would allow more of the film’s runtime to focus on the Deetz’s and strengthen their emotional moments together rather than quickly arrive and move past them.

While the sequel focuses more on the old ghost house, other locations around Winter River remind audiences of the original film’s events. This all happens without preying on nostalgia to carry the film as well, which I’m very pleased to see after most sequels these days rely on nostalgia for the plot.

I’m also very pleased that the film didn’t turn out to be a CGI-fest now that technology has improved and evolved since the original film. The use of practical effects, stop motion and Claymation are all present to keep the film grounded in the same world as the original.

Overall, the reunion with the resident demon was much better than I anticipated.

The cast all interacted and played off each other extremely well, both with newcomers and returning actors. Useless subplots drag the film down a lot in the beginning and towards the final moments of the film, but the comedy and visuals make you forget about it if you’re looking for a good time at the theaters.

Rating: 3.5/5

Luke Brewer can be reached at 581-2812 or lsbrewer@eiu.edu.