Written By: Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson & Warren Skaaren

Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis & Winona Ryder

Released: 1988

A lively couple attempt to enjoy their vacation at home, a little country abode that they have poured their hearts into making snug. Unfortunately, an unforeseen accident occurs with our love birds, soiling their plans and dampening their spirits…truly! Now bound to the 4 corners of their home, roaming between the living and the deceased, the two must sort out how to spend their allotted time as ghosts as they are forced to be prisoners in the confines of their walls. However, a new, unoccupied home means new, unwanted tenants, a family of 3 in fact who are anything but similar to our sweet phantoms. Their floundering attempts at spooking the family doesn’t seem to be doing the trick at making them leave, so in a desperate attempt, they call on another spirit who promises to do the job. Say his name three times and all their problems go away. The catch? He’s a malevolent spirit who solely wants to dwell among the living once more, wreaking havoc to all that encounters him, both dead and alive.

Story

This film has been one of my favorites since childhood, the whimsical aspect, the absurd characters, even the ghoulish presence of the dead. It was always remembered as a colorful and fun film; however, rewatching it as an adult, I completely forgot, or perhaps just never noticed, that this is not a kids movie at all. Growing up in the 90s, I think our content was always a bit “mature” compared to what is considered child specific entertainment today. Viewing the film recently, I can fully grasp the more adult-centered humor or themes that’s portrayed through its entirety, which came as a little surprise to me because I have no idea how I was so convinced it was a kids film, but now I also appreciate the design of the film being so eccentric while simultaneously being for adults. That being said, I think the overall story doesn’t have an important message, as in there’s nothing too substantial as far as narrative goes and what’s being told. This film is more so about the amusement from the characters themselves, the environments, and the predicaments that have to be worked out. I don’t think there’s a major change with anyone, besides the literal life change from our main protagonists, but I think the journey that everyone goes on is thrilling and remarkable, one that we can fantasize about but never truly relate to because of how improbable these circumstances would be.

This is also why it’s so fascinating that this is not a child’s film because of the many fantasy elements, nothing holds concrete to reality in anyway, besides people dying in a car accident. I suppose the fear of losing your home or having unwanted strangers in your personal space is something we can relate to with our main characters. Overall, I think the story itself is so ludicrous that it allows even more escapism for its viewers to just enjoy without any obligation to understand the point. There also wasn’t too much backstory on anyone, it would have been interesting to know who exactly Beetlejuice is, or Betelgeuse as its spelled, where he came from or just the whole myth/legend behind him. It wasn’t too clear why he wanted to come into the land of the living, and the sudden marriage-rule of his lore was very quickly added in near the end, which also didn’t make much sense. It wasn’t clear why the couple, Adam and Barbara, had to stay at their house for decades before they could pass away, or why the ritual made them turn old. So, there were a few plot holes with the story, but again, this seemed to be more for pure enjoyment rather than cleverness. I love the daughter, Lydia, being able to see Adam and Barbara and how their relationship unfolded. Lydia’s folks, Charles and Delia, along with their associate Otho, wanting to exploit the ghosts for profit was a nice twist that aided the comical lunacy. I overall enjoyed the story as just a spectacle of events to marvel at rather than an abstract think-piece.

Imagery & Production

Yes yes yes yes. Design and composition was stellar. I believe I’ve said before in a review for Edward Scissorhands, that the worlds Tim Burton creates are visual masterpieces, immensely remarkable and always carry his signature. Crediting his team, however, is just as important as acknowledging Burtons creativity. Production Design was once again done by the legendary Bo Welch (Men in Black, The Cat in the Hat, S.O.U.E. tv series). Bo has worked with Tim Burton on his other esteemed projects, so we can assume he understands how to materialize all that Burton is wanting to produce. Director of Photography was none other than the immensely accredited Thomas E. Ackerman (Anchorman, George of the Jungle, Jumanji), who also DP’d for Tim Burtons short film Frankenweenie. This film definitely made a staple in the industry by creating these groundbreaking visual concepts and pushing the limits on what could be made practically for visual effects. Tim Burton has always been a genius at fantasy surrealism, fabricating the most elaborate environments using tangible resources and materials. Even more so, his team always pulls off these ambitious depictions, perfectly executing the abnormal and weird, which is why Burton, his films, and his art remain one of my ultimate favorites.

Besides the sets and art designs, costume and makeup was so memorable, thousands of people cosplay and recreate the characters habitually. Lydia’s red wedding dress, Betelgeuse’s pinstripe suit, and of course Adam and Barbara’s disfigured heads *pictured above* Beetlejuice has inspired the masses and has been deemed as one of Tim Burtons most beloved and influentional films, along with Edward Scissorhands and A Nightmare Before Christmas. It is no small feat to create a movie that people will appreciate, remember and watch more than once. Of course the high profile, entertainment industry awards are an indicator of your success; however, I believe that if you can impact a large quantity of people so much so that there is now an entire culture surrounding your work, THAT is true success, and that is where an auteur can remain boundless.

Performance

Our lead cast was played by Michael Keaton (Betelgeuse), Alec Baldwin (Adam), Geena Davis (Barbara), and Winona Ryder (Lydia). Supporting them, we had Catherine O’Hara (Delia), Jeffery Jones (Charles), Glenn Shadix (Otho), and Sylvia Sidney (Juno). Starting with our main cast, Michael Keaton, even though it was difficult to notice it was him because he was covered from head to toe in costume and makeup, he without question stole the show. His performance and delivery of the absurd entity was outrageous and zany, but so well executed, you’d expect nothing less from Keaton, who is undoubtedly considered a wide-range actor. I both loved this character and was highly revolted by him, which I’m assuming was the whole point. Baldwin and Davis had ordinary performances, I don’t feel like their characters had a lot of complexities, but were still well-depicted. Though, I do feel like every film Geena is in, she portrays her characters with a lot of similarity to each other; the wide-eyed damsel, mildly featherbrained, but very caring and always up for a challenge and not totally surprised by the troublesome and odd situations she finds herself in. Winona Ryder, iconic, notable, praiseworthy, influential, so on and so on. Absolutely one of my favorite films of hers and extremely impressive performance since it was one of her first big film roles.

There’s talk of a Beetlejuice 2 already in the works, more like “finally” since its been almost 20 years since the release of the original. It is said to include all original cast, along with some new characters (Johnny Depp *sobs*). This whole thing will be interesting to see work out being that everyone is 20 years older, Winona now has an even bigger fan base because of Stranger Things, and the old flame connection between her and Depp; it almost feels like this will do well just because of hype, which means the story doesn’t have to be great and the acting will more than likely be just barely decent…which means I’ll love all of it and eat it up. I’m most excited at what visual decisions Tim Burton will design, now that we have an abundance of possibilities one could include in a movie to really make it impressive. There are also folk who don’t think there should be a sequel, sometimes they’re just as unnecessary as a remake, and it’ll tarnish the classic and prototypical world of Beetlejuice. It’s hard to say when you’re talking about such a notable film, how anything else that is produced from that realm will equal up or even surpass its reputation. Similar debate with Hocus Pocus 2 that’s coming out this year. It’s nostalgic and enchanting to catch up with he best witches to exist, but they are also so much older and the story line has to balance being geared to the generation who grew up watching it, and the newer kids who have never watched it before, which is not an easy thing to do.

What Does it Mean?

Literally nothing. I don’t think there’s any real message or meaning, I truly think its just pure, obtuse, mind-melting, weirdness, full of unhinged creativity. I do think there’s this element of normality to the dead and restless spirits that has not been portrayed too often, besides Casper, so in that sense Beetlejuice had us befriend and indulge with the underworld, expanding our stigma about it…I guess. Nonetheless, it is an iconic film, a trademark in Tim Burtons collection of art. I don’t think every story needs a point or to change your life. There’s true reverie when you can just experience something without having to find the deep meaning of it. We have such an obsession for symbolism as a society and as a species, that when we’re presented with something that only asks our thoughts to have fun and enjoy the ride of the waggish, it can be odd at first, but could also be more rewarding than otherwise.

Beetlejuice will always be a legend in the film industry, a trailblazer for the macabre and avant-guard, and if you love the craftsmanship of art in motion, you will absolutely fall in love with this film.