Tim Burton is brilliant, as usual...

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 1999)

I've seen this film multiple times, and it never ceases to entertain me. I might not say that it gets funnier and funnier every single time I see it, however, Keaton's showmanship in this film remains unmatched by any portrayal of the filthy undead that I've ever seen. The casting is perfect, from Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara as the Deitzes, to Davis and Baldwin as the Maitlands, to Juno, to Miss Argentina, to everyone. While Ryder's performance of Lydia was a bit rough around the edges, it's certainly great work, especially for one of her first films. There's not a single person in this movie whose performance I can't say was dead on (no pun intended). The comic timing was perfect, Elfman's score was fantastically jaunty while at the same time eerie, and of course, the scenery and direction were genius. This is certainly some of Burton's best work. And can I just say that I LOVE Glenn Shadix (Otho)? I think he should just be in every movie. Just put him in there, Forrest Gump style. The layers of this movie are infinite, and I can't say enough good things about it. Certainly both a conventional and a cult classic. A quintessential "10".