Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today, we review Beetle Juice
Genre: Horror Comedy
Directed by: Tim Burton
Staring: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffery Jones
Released: March 30th, 1988
THE GENERAL IDEA
Adam and Barbara are a normal couple, who happen to be dead. They have given their precious time to decorate the house and make it their own, but unfortunately a family are moving in, and not quietly. Adam and Barbara try to scare them out, but ends up becoming the main attraction to the money making family. They call upon Beetlejuice to help, but Beetlejuice has more in more in mind than the just helping.
THE GOOD
This film is the very statement of Geena Davis’ charm and appeal, and Alec Baldwin although second fiddle in the couple’s charm is great as the supportive and average husband. Michael Keaton steals the show with his comedic timing, snappy banter and exciting portrayal of the “Ghostess with the Mostest” This was the relationship that got Keaton the role of Batman when Tim Burton followed up this success with the caped crusader. We all know Burton is all about relationships.
The film is full of laughs and visual wows that Tim Burton became known for, but at the time his greatest filmatic achievement was Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
THE BAD
The effects are pretty dated and while a visual thrill ride at the time, by todays standards the stop motion animation effects are just not acceptable unless you are Wallace and Grommit. Aside from that, I have nothing negative to say about this film.
OVERALL
A fun ride, and a lot of goofy laughs. You actually feel for the characters in this and hope they win out in the end. The story is complete and worth the watching, and while we find out today that Geena Davis is up for a sequel, the extent of milking the franchise seemed to have ended with the Saturday Morning cartoon (which portrayed Lydia and Beetlejuice as friends)
TV – If you are at least a little curious, catch it if it comes on TV.
Rent – If it is something you have heard of and forgotten, or just remember enjoying this as much as I did once upon a time, go rent it.
Buy – But if you are like me, and you agree with my review you should go buy it. If its featured here, I already have.
