Reviewed by Ken Carman
When we paid Bob for the movie at The Strand in Old Forge, I asked him if I could have it with extra “juice.” It was a joke, but I kind of wish it would have been possible.
This movie was a mix. The first half an hour, or more, DRAGS. I understand, Tim Burton had to reestablish the premise now it’s been closing in on 40 years later. But it certainly could have been done faster. And the scripting for Beetlejuice himself started out lame, pedestrian and weak. Keaton did a great job overall, generally he usually does do crazy well. Just the scripting was the problem. I almost thought he had become no more than another after life bureaucrat.
All that changed mid movie and we were quite pleased with the typical Burton craziness. It was no Beetlejuice, the original, but a worthy sequel after the crazy kicked in. A special kudos goes to the usage of songs like MacArthur Park and specifically the editing at the end. Having done plenty of digital audio editing: well done. Cutting and pasting the musical interlude in with the end of the song added to the experience. And while I prefer the Harris version, which they used, the Donna Summers version during the credits (Despite the fact I hate disco) worked too.
BURTON!!! YEAH, I’m talking to you! You missed a golden opportunity at the end to have a Keaton tag when the credits are done. Maybe Beetlejuice, or baby Beetlejuice, popping out of of the WB shield? Saying, “That’s ALLLLL folks!”
Go, just don’t expect it to be as good as the first, and be patient during the draggy start. I advise the big screen due to effects.
3.9 out of a possible 5.
So close to a 4!
Welcome to Our End of the New movie reviews. One poster: don’t bother. Two posters: eh, OK, but a lot of problems here. Three: Good movie, just at least one problem. Four: very good. Five: if you don’t go you’re missing out. Added comments at the end: “you could wait for it to come on TV,” “best seen on the big screen” and “good for all screens,” unless other comments are added, refer mainly to the nature of the movie such as special effects, incredible sound or scenery that might make it best seen in a movie theater depending on your set up at home.