Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! My number 8 movie.

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2003)

I always used to love those three magical words growing up. I've watched Tim Burton's best pre-"Batman" film over 100 times since I was a kid. I was only three years old when "Beetlejuice" hit the theaters back in 1988 and though I didn't see it then, it has had a remarkable effect on me. No, I'm not morbid or "strange and unusual", I just view it as one of the best movies I have ever seen. The special effects and make-up, though seriously dated by today's standards are still amazing. The acting is intentionally campy from what I can see. Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis are pretty convincing as the recently deceased couple forced to call upon the "Ghost with the Most" (Michael Keaton) to deal with the obnoxious family (Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, and a very good Winona Ryder) that has moved into their home.
So what is so great about it? First off, MICHAEL KEATON!!! This is the movie that introduced me to one of the most gifted comic actors of our time.
I would be blown away again by his second collaboration with Tim Burton a year later in "Batman". He is off the wall in this movie. You can hardly tell that it's him underneath that ghastly make-up, but only his voice gives him away.
Second, Tim Burton. To me, "Beetlejuice" is Burton's first great film and unlike many of his following efforts, really has that dark humor thing going. I mean, I love Tim Burton movies and I've seen all of them ("Planet of the Apes", being his only "bad" movie). I consider Burton's films "Beetlejuice", "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands" to be his three greatest by far. "Beetlejuice" is Burton's first outing, "Batman" made him big, and he took a shot at critical-respectability with "Edward Scissorhands".
Winona Ryder. My how she has grown up since this movie. Not caring too much about her recent legal troubles, I think she is one of the most underrated actresses today. I loved her character, Lydia in this movie. It's strange how her fascination with death suddenly rings home after she gets to know the Maitlands a little bit.
"Beetlejuice" is one of my favorite movies of all time and I love it.
10/10