Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Movie Review, by Michael Errol Swaim

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a thoroughly enjoyable PG-13 2024 American dark fantasy / comedy / horror film, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Winona Rider, Jenna Ortega, Monica Belluci, Willam Dafoe, Catherine O’hara, and Danny Devito.

Lydia Deetz, her mother, and her daughter return to the family home in Winter River after a tragedy has occurred. When the daughter meets a boy she likes, they find their way into the afterlife and Lydia must call on the notorious ghost with the most, Beetlejuice, to help save her, and—of course—chaos ensues.

I promised my wife we would take the family when it came out. I’m a big fan of the original movie (as a lot of us are), so this was one of those films I did not want to miss seeing in theaters. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, as I’ve heard a lot of bad things and read a lot of hateful reviews. It’s hard to take people’s advice on films, however. We are all so different, and everyone likes different things and have opinions that may or may not match up. Some feedback I read about the movie was disheartening, but as we all should, I reserved the right to watch it and develop my own opinions. Never let anyone else tell you what you will and won’t like. They are usually wrong. Think for yourself.

Upon arriving at the Siloam Springs 6 Theater in—you guessed it—Siloam Springs, Arkansas, I was greeted with an interesting sight. A group of six women of various ages were all wearing matching Beetlejuice outfits, and I thought that was really special. Of course, I had to ask what movie they were watching and everyone laughed, and they asked me to take their picture. The whole experience was heartwarming.

While each actor, including the supporting cast, delivered a stellar performance, it was Catherine O’hara who stole the show in my opinion. Her sometimes over-the-top and always excellent comedy chops caused me to laugh in every scene she was in. Maybe it’s her experience, or maybe she is just that good.

Tim Burton, as usual, delivered another wonderful film in his unique style that we all know and love and come to expect with his work.

Danny Elfman’s music is always delicious, haunting, and whimsical. It brings a sense of both nostalgia and wonder to the viewer.

The only thing I thought was lacking was story development. It seemed lackluster, like it needed more. The movie was a little short, timewise, and there was so much going on that the whole story was a little underdeveloped.

Overall, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a great family film that I think fans will enjoy it. Don’t let critics decide if you should see it or not. Just go watch it, have a good time. You will enjoy it just for the nostalgia factor.

7 out of 10 stars.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER:

Michael Errol Swaim is a horror and fantasy author and proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He first picked up a pencil and began to write stories many moons ago before he was even born, and due to several mishaps, including a liver and kidney transplant, he stopped writing. After a 25-year hiatus, he has returned to doing what he loves most: writing. Michael focuses on horror but occasionally dabbles in fantasy and poetry. His first horror publication is in issue three of Carnage House, and his stories will appear in several upcoming anthologies. He also writes film and book reviews for the Weird Wide Web blog. Because he was such a weird kid, his parents dropped him off in the middle of a forest in Green Country, where a rabid squirrel raised him, and he eventually returned to civilization. He currently resides in Colcord, Oklahoma, with his wife, Mandy, his three kids, and his special princess, Wolfgirl the Cat.

He can be found at Facebook.com/michael.e.swaim