I feel a little .... anxious

Rating: 10/10 (23 September 2009)

It is probably redundant at this point, 21 years after the initial release of 'Beetlejuice', to proclaim its status as a modern comedy classic, but it IS. This is probably Tim Burton's most commercially successful film after the two 'Batman' movies, airing on the cable channels on a regular basis and still as fresh and funny as ever.
I think the Hollywood money people are finally coming around to the fact that Burton has become a very bankable director, if they are willing to indulge him in the occasional outré production, like 'Mars Attacks!', for his loyal fans who long ago recognized a true 'auteur' (I don't like that word but...). Few directors have put their individual stamps on their films that are instantly recognizable; Hitchock, Bergman, von Trier, Herzog, Fellini, Tarnatino and some others, and now Tim Burton. In 50 years we will still be watching Burton films while many other current darlings of Hollywood will be forgotten.
'Beetlejuice' might seem like a dark, ill-tempered story to those who haven't seen it, but it is one of Burton's most light-hearted creations, in spite of the fact that the lead characters are killed at the beginning of the movie and, like 'Topper Returns', appear as ghosts who are instrumental in changing earthly affairs for the still living.
Michael Keaton is hilarious as the eponymous lead, supported by some great comedians at their best, notably Catherine O'Hara (what has happened to her?), Jeffrey Jones, Glenn Shadix and the late, great Sylvia Sidney as the chain-smoking, tough-nosed, abrasive-tongued spiritual guide.
There is one unforgettably hilarious scene set at the dinner table and all the guests are possessed by Beetlejuice and sing 'Day-oh-dayayay-oh!' while being manipulated like marionettes around the table. The climax of this scene is classic.
This film is highly recommended for all ages, even very young children will like it, though some of the facial f/x are a bit scary, and the scene in the heavenly waiting room, though screamingly funny, may not sit well with youngsters trying to go to sleep in a dark room afterwards. Depends on the kid, I suppose.
Another Burton off-the-wall masterwork.