Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, is a PG-13 film blending comedy and fantasy. It was released on March 30, 1988. It follows Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin), a couple who died in a car accident and now haunt their old house.
After a new family moves in, the couple becomes desperate and requests help from a mischievous ghost named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton), who claims to be a “bio-exorcist”. He says he will rid their home of the family as long as they say his name three times to release him into the world of the living.
The family’s daughter, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), is a strange young goth woman, and she is the only one who can see the couple. She tries her best to help them. Betelgeuse causes a notable amount of hilarious chaos throughout the film while Barbara and Adam do their best to take back their house from the afterlife.
Lydia’s parents are Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara) and Charles Deetz (Jeffery Jones). Delia, her stepmother, is an overdramatic artist and perfectionist. Charles is just trying to help his family start over after the passing of Lydia’s mother. After Betelgeuse is invited into the home, the Deetz family and the Maitland couple need to try and get him out so he doesn’t cause them any more trouble.
Beetlejuice is an amazing movie because it is hilarious and interesting. A lot of Halloween movies today try way too hard, and the simplicity behind the writing and execution of Beetlejuice makes it an amazing movie. It is something everyone can enjoy, and it does a really good job of setting a creepy mood without leaving audiences sleeping with their lights on.
The plot isn’t confusing but also isn’t too simple, and it moves at a good pace to keep watchers interested. The CGI isn’t advanced, but it adds to the humorous, slightly creepy vibe. Some viewers might find Betelgeuse’s rude humor and overall character uncomfortable. He’s a creep with no respect for boundaries, and tries to force Lydia into marriage, even though she’s 16. It isn’t scary, but it is a little unsettling.
Overall, the movie earns a 4/5, and it’s a great throwback film to add to your watchlist this Halloween season.
