BEETLEJUICE

In 1988, one of the craziest and zaniest films exploded into movie theaters across the country. It was not the usual horror that fans of the genre expect. It was funny and irreverent toward all the ghostly rules that are usually followed. Finally, there was a horror movie that didn’t scare me, one I could take my children to see without any of us covering our eyes at the scary parts (myself included). It also burned THE BANANA BOAT SONG deep into the crevices of my brain. I would instinctively want to get up and dance as soon as I heard the first burst of those calypso notes vibrating from any listening device. DAY-O… DAYLIGHT COMES, AND I WANT TO GO HOME. Oh, I know you are humming along too. Of course, I am talking about the one-of-a-kind, legendary film… BEETLEJUICE.

This is where we have to cue up my love affair with all things Tim Burton and the magical, musical sounds of composer Danny Elfman. Can we all say it together? THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, and FRANKENWEENIE. What a team. The two of them could take an everyday story, twist it inside out, and still make it come out perfectly in the end, with strange, melodious beats splashed around iconic moments on screen. Burton can switch it up and change who audiences see as the proper bad guy. His way of holding up a mirror makes all of us throw our paradigms into the air and see the other side. Humanity does not stand a chance. Burton pulls at our heartstrings, and we all come out right-side up again. It is a perilous, fun journey every time, with Elfman highlighting each lightbulb second. Yes, I am in love with their brilliant, ingenious creativity.

BEETLEJUICE would be nothing without its phenomenal cast of characters, too. Michael Keaton as the ancient, timeless Beetlejuice was sheer perfection. Keaton told the makeup, hair, and costume departments how he saw this character. Together, they created a haunting image that could never be forgotten, and the film took home the Oscar for Best Makeup. It was so totally well deserved. His strained, hoarse voice was actually delightful. Listening to him talk felt like running your nails along a chalkboard. And don’t get me started on all the ad-libbed lines. It was an actor’s dream opportunity to toss out off-the-cuff comments and one-liners over and over. I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks. Keaton was magnificent.

The rest of the cast was just as outrageous. Pairing the stunning Geena Davis with boy-next-door Alec Baldwin was a win-win. Audiences were captivated from their first puppy-dog looks at each other. So sweet! Catherine O’Hara was hilarious and evil simultaneously. Jeffrey Jones played the ideal straight man to O’Hara’s jabs. Winona Ryder was the goth daughter we were all glad we didn’t have to deal with in real life, until we saw her loving, kind heart. It was another lesson never to judge anyone by what they show us. There are always hidden gems deep inside. This cast made me want to jump up in the movie theater and give them a standing ovation.

BEETLEJUICE should be savored each Halloween. It is spooky, silly, and wise, and it showcases the true definition of a dark Halloween comedy classic. Enjoy, but be forewarned. Don’t be tempted to cry out BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE. Oh dear… see you on the other side.

It’s available on HBO Max.