There's something magical about Beetlejuice. Revisiting it for the first time in years made me wonder why my sister and I had it in such regular rotation throughout our childhood turns out, it was all us. My parents' opinions on it ranged from lightly positive (Dad) to fairly negative (Mom), but we couldn't get enough of it. And that makes sense to me. Beetlejuice is more than just creatively odd. It's whimsical enough to feel safe, but also sexual enough to feel dangerous. Watch it young, and it's like peeking into a world you aren't supposed to see yet.

The new sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is missing that edge. It's tamer, more straightforward, and far more willing to hold your hand as you traverse the story. Put the two films side-by-side, and you'll see traces of director Tim Burton's journey to the mainstream over the intervening 36 years.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Director...