"Let's turn on the juice and see what shakes loose"
Review: Beetlejuice
An Augustus Rating of 7/10
Just
the perfect movie for a fun, October night. Today's review is on the 1988
horror comedy, Beetlejuice, directed by the one and only, Tim
Burton. By horror, I mean
you see dead people and a few pussing but friendly ghosts. This movie stars
Michael Keaton (Batman!) as the infamous Betelgeuse.
The
movie starts off with a recently deceased young couple, the Maitlands,
who are confined as ghosts in their vacation house on the top of a hill in
Winterville. Unable to come to terms with their deaths, they are summoned to
the underworld where they meet their "death counselor", Juno. In the
meantime, an obnoxious family from New York, the Deetzes, move into the
house.
Mr.
Deetze is a former real estate developer and Mrs. Deetze is his second wife who
is also a modern sculptor. Lydia is Mr. Deetze's
goth daughter from his first marriage. She is very depressed and hates her
life. The family begins to renovate the house into a more contemporary and stylish
home. The Maitlands are furious of what has become of their loving house.
Juno
tells the couple that they have to scare off the Deetzes in order to regain
their house. While planning to scare the Deetzes, the couple meet Lydia, the
only person that can see them, and befriend her. After numerous unsuccessful
scare attempts, the Maitlands decide they need help.
The
Maitlands are informed of a "bio-exorcist" ghost, Betelgeuse, who
specializes in scaring the living. They are warned that he is only trouble and
after experiencing his morbid and inappropriate nature, the Maitlands think
twice about hiring him. Unfortunately, they are tricked into saying the magic
words which bring Betelgeuse into the game.
 |
| Tim Burton wanted his childhood favourite star, Sammy Davis Jr. to play Betelgeuse, but the studio executives didn't like the idea at all! (Too bad!) |
Overall, this movie was pretty great. Never thought I'd see Batman as a crazy ghost with white hair and a rotting complexion. So next time you feel the need to laugh at someone as nutty as him, watch Beetlejuice.
... Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
- Augustus
I really agree with your rating. I didn't know Beetlejuice was filmed by Tim Burton, but that makes so much sense. He really has a distinctive style from other filmmakers.
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me to go rewatch this.
Hahha yeah, it didn't surprise me the least who the director was. It really is a good movie :)
ReplyDeleteThis movie has always been one of my favourites. Then again, I've always been a really big fan of Tim Burton's work. It also made me laugh how you added those last two beetlejuices at the end there.
ReplyDeleteNever see this one... shame Sammy Davis Jr wasn't in it, but I really like the idea of a "death counsellor". I'll have to add this one to my list.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a really good nutty film. Michael Keaton does a really good job at playing this psychopathic character. For the longest time I couldn't fathom he played the role!
DeleteI've never actually seen Beetlejuice, but it's pretty cool that Batman is the scary ghost. I've always been given the heebyjeebys by the idea of this movie, but after this review maybe I'll check it out. I just always thought the ghosts were cretins, but knowing it's a Tim Burton movie I could be completely wrong
ReplyDelete