The lights flicker in the windows of the small model town. Something has taken root inside her. A supernatural parasite. A bio-exorcist. A spirit that has so much to offer like no other. At least that’s what he claims. His style, his evil sayings and that uniqueness of his production should shape fantasy and ghost cinema like no other.
We’re talking – probably in equal parts – about Lottergeist Beetlejuice and its director Tim Burton. Together with an absolute iconic cast They were supposed to create a cult fantasy that would delight generations of fans of the strange and extraordinary. While the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is successfully haunting cinemas, you can easily stream part 1 on Amazon Prime Video.
In Beetlejuice, two ghosts have to try to save their home from crazy people
Our story does not begin with Betelgeuse (yes, actually that’s how it’s spelled), contrary to what we might expect from the title. We spend our time with the Maitlands, Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam (Alec Baldwin). They are a married couple, still completely in love after many years, happy in their large country house. But not for long.
The Maitlands die unexpectedly in a more than unfortunate accident. They soon discover that they… bound to their house as ghosts are stuck there for the time being and are not noticed by the living. What becomes a problem when a new family moves into their beloved home and begins to turn everything upside down.
Delia (Catherine O’Hara), Charles (Jeffrey Jones) and their young daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) Deetz are a truly strange family. And Adam and Barbara want to get rid of them. So they ask the self-proclaimed “bio-exorcist” who suddenly appears at their doorstep for help. Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) also gets started straight away. But the spirit they have summoned is itself an even bigger problem…
The fantasy film on Amazon Prime is an absolutely crazy trip that unfortunately hardly exists today
Beetlejuice is the first Burton feature film to truly have all of his trademark whimsicality, grotesqueness and dark humor. This is where his love for bizarre stop-motion creatures, black and white stripes and the like manifests itself amazingly colorful world of the (un)dead. This is incredibly charming, full of quirky characters and memorable musical numbers. Oh yes, musical numbers. Look forward to it!
Even today, fascinating practical effects, an incomparably eerie atmosphere and images that no one else could imagine, take us on an incomparable trip. A completely excited and enthusiastic Michael Keaton in top form sets accents of repulsive, endearing madness.
Beetlejuice is unique.
With the courage to face ugliness and gaps, because you won’t find much action here. Instead Beetlejuice just has to experienced become – a risk that has become almost unthinkable in times of perfectly planned, glossy blockbusters. But the unexpectedly successful sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice gives hope – perhaps the era of the unique grotesque is not quite over yet.
Beetlejuice has recently become part of the streaming flat rate on Amazon Prime.