Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) has plays a pivotal role in my development of watching cinema. I remember it like it was yesterday when I saw it for the first time as a kid. It took a many years before I revisited it, and then a few more times since. No matter how long the break in between viewings were, this movie still always stuck with me. It scared me (rightfully so) as a kid, and it kept me up at night. Now when I watch it, I understand the humor much more, and the craft of the horror is plenty apparent. I still love ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) to this day, and in this retrospect, I realized how valuable the move truly is to the horror genre. 

Tim Burton is an absolute mad man, but I’d be damned if he wasn’t a creative one. By this point in his career, he had knocked out a few short films of his liking, and then made his directorial debut with ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985). Into after the success of that film would he go on manage to make this work of art known as ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988). Burton clearly found his calling by this film, and managed to nail down a tone of film he would use for decades. Even in his interpretations of ‘Batman’ (1989), and ‘Batman Returns’ (1992), Burton’s gothic style carries a heavy toon. Movies like ‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990) and ‘Ed Wood’ (1994) then showed he had a talent for some more mature content as well. Tim Burton is a strong filmmaker who always seems to have fun with his crew, and for that, he should be recognized at the very least. 

By this point in the late 1980’s, using computer generated imagery was growing. By the 1990’s it was already taking off. For a movie like ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) it would have been a great experiment to try some of the newer tactics. However, to the films success, this movie only worked in practical effects, and it really shows. Everything from the quirky and strange dead people we see in the lobby, to the ridiculous dinner dance sequence that you can’t help but sing along to. It was all done in camera. It’s an impressive feat once you think about how complex much of this film is. There are many ghouls and ghosts that need precious time to design, and it all looks perfect. This just goes to show how important practical effects truly are. 

With all of this gorgeous practical effects being thrown around in screen, the bigger issue is how does the sets look? And like any Tim Burton film, they look fantastic. There is an almost artificial style to all the sets in this film, but that’s frankly makes it more charming. You can tell when someone reacts quickly at times that the sets sometimes shake, but it somehow works. This is some great production design, and I’m not only talking about the afterlife, but the house this film takes place in. We get to watch it transform in ridiculous ways once the new family moves in, but it all flows just right with the tone of the picture. The master behind this work, Bo Welch would go on and work with Burton a few more times, and give his films that feeling they desperately need. Much like a John Carpenter film, the sets and designs are unique to the creators, and it is just perfect for this type of movie. 

The casting for a movie called ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) always had to be on point. With such outlandish characters being portrayed on screen, it could make of break the whole film. Thankfully this cast is solid. A young Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis both play a married couple who are working their way through the afterlife. The back and forth of determination and horror, mixed in with a little humor leads to a well led cast. Winona Ryder makes an impression on the film as well as the always stylish and gothic Lydia, the only person who can see the couple. Sherry pays the role low and slow, just like how a teen really acts. I can mention the cast without mentioning the always hilarious, and wildly incredible Catherine O’Hara. What would the world be without her and the sarcastic humor she brings to us. What an absolutely killer cast, but of course, who could forget the main draw?

Michael Keaton stars as the trickster demon, Beetlejuice himself. Oh what a career defining performance. Keaton stretches the meaning of acting in so many different ways. Someone like Michael Keaton could have come along and played this way to straight for the camera. Thankfully, Keaton actually went the mile and made an iconic character out of himself. His crude yet silly humor fits perfectly with the character, but none of this would have worked without Michael himself. Outlandish for sure, which makes it all the better. 

‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) is an absolute classic, and thankfully it hasn’t gotten lost to time. With the new release of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024) arriving 36 years later, it shows there is clearly still an audience for this work. I love this movie more as I keep growing up. There is a lot of nostalgia in the film, but at the same time, the craftsmanship is just excellent. The cast is killer, and the direction from Burton is spot on for this film. If you haven’t seen ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) before, or if it’s been a while, just sit down and watch it, seeing a classic like this will make your life a whole lot better.