Review of Beetlejuice (1988) by David G — 24 Apr 2012

Funny, imaginative and visually spectacular black comedy from Tim Burton (long before he began churning out endless mediocrity with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter) that stars Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as a recently deceased Connecticut couple who find their ghostly forms imprisoned within their old home, now occupied by New York family the Deetzes (Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara and a young and very emo Winona Ryder). Lacking the skills and cold-heartedness to scare the new tenants away, the couple turn in desperation to Beetlejuice a.k.a. Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) - a mischievous and thoroughly bonkers "bio-exorcist" who has no such problems.

With the mad plot, bizarre characters, dark sense of humour and original production design, Beetlejuice is a certified one of a kind, even amongst Burton's own extensive portfolio of weirdness. With the exception of the stop motion effects the film has aged very well and is a must-see for comedy horror fans. The cast is terrific, none more so than Michael Keaton, who brings "Betelgeuse" to life in a cascade of visual gags and insane ranting. It's just a shame he's not actually in it that much.