Beetlejuice in spite of its popularity is not a film I got around to watching as a kid. I saw it in bits and pieces on TV , but never the whole film until last year, and even then I was unimpressed. I did watch the cartoon quite a bit, but now familiar with the film I can say the show misrepresented the relationship between Beetlejuice and Lydia which in the movie was not friendly, and in the show was more a friendship, but I digress.
Beetlejuice follows the plight of the Maitland’s played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. They bought a nice country house to get away from the city, and were beginning to enjoy their new life when they ended up dying in a Carnival of Souls-esque car wreck. However, in their afterlife they are trapped in their house with the new residents the Dietz’ family whose daughter Lydia begins a friendship with the couple (She can see them, when no one else can). Of course, they want their house back to themselves, and try to scare them away, when that doesn’t work they hire a psycho Bio-Exorcist “Beetlejuice” to do the job.
Beetlejuice on this 2nd viewing for me ended up finally clicking for me. Granted it took just over 30 years to do so. The film is just a joy to watch blending in gothic horror tropes with fun family comedy, which I guess you can say became Tim Burton’s trademark throughout the next few decades.
Warner Brothers presents Beetlejuice in a popping 2160p UHD transfer that looks glorious, colors pop, detail is excellent, blacks are inky and deep. Audio is handled by English True HD or Dolby Atmos and sounds crisp, clear, and balanced. Extras include Cartoon episodes, and a trailer. RECOMMENDED.
Director- Tim Burton
Cast- Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis
Country of Origin- US
Distributor – Warner Brothers
Number of Discs –2
Reviewed by – Scott MacDonald
Date- 8/29/20