SURPRISE EXCLUSIVE REVIEW!!! ‘Beetlejuice’ Is Bizarre Family Fun

*** This review of 'Beetlejuice' appeared in the Examiner last summer during the period when the theater was getting throwback features. You can rent this strange and weird flick for Halloween via YouTube, VuduFandango, Google Play and Amazon Prime!!

In 1988, movie audiences were introduced to “the ghost with the most” in Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice.” The movie received decent reviews and became a beloved hit. Over time, quite a few others have enjoyed this ‘80s classic and fans have been clamoring for a sequel.

In the Tim Burton production of “Beetlejuice,” after Barbara and Adam Maitland die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes and teen daughter Lydia buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success.

Their efforts attract Beetlejuice, a rambunctious spirit whose “help” quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia.

“Beetlejuice” is a zany, dark comedy that is one of those movies that will keep you entertained from the beginning right through until the very end. There are a few moments in the movie that are a little strange and features several memorable parts as well. The dinner scene that features the song “Day-O” is the most memorable segment of this popular ‘80s feature. Actor Michael Keaton does an awesome job as everyone’s favorite “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice. Most of his scenes are really hysterical and you can tell that Keaton had a blast in the role. So, come on down to the Dietrich and check out this twisted Tim Burton classic! Filled with numerous laughs and a few dark moments, this Tim Burton flick will always deliver.

The cast: Michael Keaton (Dumbo; American Assassin) as Beetlejuice, Alec Baldwin (Arctic Dogs; Motherless Brooklyn) as Adam, Geena Davis (Netflix’s GLOW) as Barbara, Catherine O’Hara (The Addams Family) as Delia, Jeffrey Jones (Ferris Bueller) as Charles, Annie McEnroe as Jane Butterfield, Glenn Shadix (2001s Planet of the Apes) as Otho, Sylvia Sidney (Mars Attacks) as Juno, Robert Goulet as Maxie Dean, Dick Cavett as Bernard and Winona Ryder (Netflix’s Stranger Things) as Lydia. “Beetlejuice” is written by Michael McDowell (Thinner; The Nightmare Before Christmas) and Warren Skaaren (Beverly Hills Cop II; Batman) and directed by Tim Burton (Dumbo; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children; Frankenweenie).

Michael Keaton, who plays the title character, only appears in roughly fifteen minutes of the entire movie. Keaton also ad-libbed 90% of his lines. The studio originally wanted to call the film “House Ghosts.” As a joke, Tim Burton suggested the name “Scared Sheetless” and was horrified when the studio actually considered using it.

The visual effects budget was just $1 million, a major factor in Burton deciding to make the effects as tacky and B-movie as possible. “Beetlejuice” ended up being the tenth highest-grossing movie of 1988.

The success of the movie spawned a popular animated series that premiered on TV a year after the movie’s release. For several years, talks of a potential sequel has been going on. As of now, the studio is no longer developing a sequel. Although, with the popularity of the 1988 feature still high, anything could happen.

“Beetlejuice” was initially released on March 30, 1988. The hit movie earned $74 million domestically during its initial run and was only released in a few markets worldwide.

“Beetlejuice” is rated PG and has a running time of 92 minutes.