Beetlejuice - Needs more Keaton

You’re probably already aware that ‘Beetlejuice’ is considered a ‘classic’ when it comes to modern cinema and I don’t really disagree.  However, upon re-watching the eighties horror/comedy today I still level the same criticism – not enough of the titular character, aka Michael Keaton.

The story follows a young couple who find themselves dead after an unfortunate road accident.  Now they’re forced to spend the afterlife haunting their own dream home, now infested with the (annoying) living.  And, in an effort to drive out these fleshy interlopers, they enlist the help of one particularly unhinged fellow spirit, known as Beetlejuice.

It was directed by Tim Burton as (arguably) the height of his career.  It’s wonderfully gothic with all his best trademarks all over the place (not counting the lack of Johnny Depp).  The only aspect of the film that rivals Keaton’s performance are the (completely non-CGI) special effects which add to the atmosphere perfectly.

Maybe today the film is looking a little dated, but it’s one that you have to suspend your disbelief and enjoy it for what it was at the time, rather than compared to today’s filmic offerings.  I wait for the (depressing) day when I hear it’s going to be remade with all CGI environments.  That will probably happen, but no matter how much computer trickery they employ, they’ll never be able to CGI another performance as good as Keaton’s.  And that’s why the original will always stand out (and not just as an excuse to laugh at how unbelievably young Alec Baldwin looked back then!).

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one