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Beetlejuice Reaction! (Patreon)

Published:
2024-11-01 17:00:16
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Files

Beetlejuice (1988)

Full Reaction You can either stream the Full reaction below using the embedded video player, otherwise you can click the 'Download' button which will take you directly to Google Drive, enabling you to save the video to your computer instead. You must provide your own footage to watch alongside the full reactions.

Comments

Faction Paradox

They would never make a film today where the title character doesn't show up till half way through. I don't even think he has half an hour of screentime

Ryan

Much like Ferris Bueller, with so many hit comedies of the '80s just being a nonstop parade of "Well, that didn't age well. I don't know how we ever thought that was okay. Oh, I forgot Jeffrey Jones is in this," it's nice to see one where you at least don't have to worry about most of that. And it's especially notable that a lot of Betelgeuse's sexist actions are the kind of thing that most movies of the time would just play purely for laughs, but here we're meant to see them as off-putting, and his turning his attention to a teenager is meant as a signal that he's now unquestionably the movie's villain. This was only Burton's second feature film after Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and quite a chaotic experience where the script was mutating pretty much daily as numerous crew members kept coming up with new ideas. And Michael Keaton himself was responsible for almost everything about his own character, describing it as "one of the great 'yes, and' experiences of my career." One part that really strikes me is how confident Burton is at keeping the camera at a middle distance and letting your eye wander to different parts of interest, where a lesser director would just shove these things in your face to make sure you notice. Perhaps best seen in the ventriloquism trick, where you see Betelgeuse isn't talking, so naturally you look to Adam, and upon seeing that he's not talking either, your only other option is Barbara, who you probably get to right as the line is finishing on first viewing. This keeps it open to quite a few rewatches. Burton's also already great at economical storytelling, giving us just enough time with Adam and Barbara before their deaths, pretty much down to the second, to get invested in their relationship before we'd start getting impatient for the real story to kick in, so we can then fully understand why they're so against a new family moving in. And at the same time, we're also able to sympathize with the Deetzes and want things to turn out well for them. As for Otho, as I write this there's only 364 days until next Halloween, and he's only an elected official, he can't make decisions by himself (yes, I crowbarred the reference in, but when am I ever going to have the chance to do this again on this exact day?). All this in combination is what gets you to not mind so much the sheer randomness of this vision of the afterlife, and how even on that level it still breaks some rules. How are they able to make everyone do impressions of Jess when a song starts? Who cares, it's just a fun scene with a bunch of people you've gotten attached to. Though if they really wanted to scare Charles away, they'd play The Marriage of Figaro. Soon he'd be running out screaming that there are too many notes. And then there's the title character himself (well, sort of, you might have noticed it's spelled different than the title apparently just to explain why Adam reading the ad doesn't summon him). Not since Dr. Strangelove have we had a character with so little screentime yet making such a big impression that you never question why the movie is named after him. And he doesn't even wear the outfit everyone associates with him until his last few minutes, so it was pretty amusing seeing you name that as one of the few things you knew about. Michael Keaton grabs hold of the movie and doesn't let go every second he does show up; ominous, mysterious, hung like a horse (anyone who gets that reference is my new best friend). I was a bit too young to be aware of the culture's reaction to his being cast as Batman immediately afterward, but I have to imagine it was very loud and angry until his performance shut everyone up (that happens A LOT with this particular character, I've noticed). What I was the exact right age for, on the other hand, was the animated series which acts as one of the most bizarrely conceived tie-ins even from an era which I noted with Robocop had a ton of kids' cartoons made from decidedly mature material. The setup of this one was basically "You know the whole ending of the movie where Betelgeuse becomes the villain because he's perving on a teenage girl? Well, what if she was actually into it, and had to keep dealing with her square parents who just didn't understand their bond?" There isn't even any origin episode showing a new version of how they first met, so the show's crew was clearly counting on people knowing the movie. Then there was the Broadway musical, which tried to be kind of a medium between the two prior versions and from what I've heard actually does a pretty good job of it (and if you're really lucky, you might just see a sitting member of Congress openly having sex in the audience). And of course this very year we finally got a direct sequel which got something of a mixed reception, but more positive than not, and personally I loved the hell out of it. Definitely recommended for your next poll.

Thomas Corp

Talk about a thoroughly enjoyable reaction to round out this spooky season, Jess. Never did see this as a little kid, likely due to my parents being a bit strict and protective. The cartoon was everywhere, saw that, caught bits and pieces of this on tv every now and again and around two decades ago, I first saw this start to finish, and I loved it. Yeah, Tim Burton has a vibe all to himself. My mom’s not nuts on all his films, neither was my dad, but there’s the shared appreciation for his style and craft. You point out that even in the scenes of the mundane before the fantastic, the vibe is present, which my dad used to say that the man has his set way that he wants to make a movie, and my dad respected that. And whilst I’m of the opinion that Ed Wood is Tim’s best film, Beetlejuice is probably the greatest example of lightning in a bottle of his filmography and is often a popular pick for people’s favorite Tim Burton film. Likewise, the Danny Elfman score, who as you note, Danny is Tim’s John Williams, tends to be one of his most popular scores. The main theme is a staple of spooky season, and you rocking out to it, namely my favorite part of the theme, GAH, it was GREAT!! The film is surprisingly wholesome, with lots of heart, grounded by the Maitlands. Geena Davis is always good, and she and Alec Baldwin are great. They do handle the death rather well. But hey, the dog lived. I use that stereo instructions line so much. Rather figured you’d like the Deetzes. I always liked them and now as I’m older and now in the similar age bracket as they are, they’ve become so much more relatable. Helping is the fact that Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara do such good work, had such good rapport with Tim that they end up as part of Tim Burton’s regulars. (Albeit, in the former case, once it became known that Jeffrey Jones is a complete fucking pervert creep, that came to a screeching halt for him. FAST.) Charles just wanting his peace and quiet, and Delia being a dramatic Queen that we lived for. Loved the Catherine appreciation; this and Home Alone remain her default images in my mind. Mom also says SCTV. Bringing us to Winona Ryder as Lydia, which put her on the map. Years later, and Lydia still remains my default image of Winona. This has caused confusion with younger coworkers over the years, who when I’ve referred to Winona as Lydia, they befuddlingly ask, “Huh? Who?” I then explain that I mean Winona as she is Lydia from Beetlejuice. That is who she is. She’s not... I mean, no offense, she’s not... Fuck even is her character’s goddamn name in the show? The, the mom in Stranger Things. To me, Winona is not the mom in Stranger Things, she is Lydia from Beetlejuice, goddamn it. Even if I see Stranger Things tomorrow, it won’t change that. And yes, I know I do need to get to watching Stranger Things. EVERYBODY has been on my ass for being behind on it. They got particularly venomous about it when I said I was watching the Obi-Wan show rather than the fourth season of Stranger Things over two years ago now. She did bring the angst; that scene of her writing the note being painfully accurate. Also just love Glenn Shadix as Otho. Jarring seeing Robert Goulet and Dick Cavett, knew you would have a reaction to the latter character impugning Delia’s work. And I loved how you had such wonderful reactions to the spookier spots of this, and I cackled throughout. All throughout the film, they have such memorable scenes, one of the big ones being the Harry Belafonte of it all. Your reaction to that was priceless. Again, when the jumpscare happens with the shrimp hands, I cackle.

Thomas Corp

And now we talk about the man, the myth, the legend: Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse. In all of his career of, amongst others, Batman, Mr. Mom, Birdman, Spotlight, and the MCU, Michael Keaton lists the old Juice as his favorite character that he’s ever played. And I adored the appreciation you gave to Michael in this, if not necessarily the character himself. I had figured he’d test you some, and the best part is that the character ages perfectly today as I see Ryan has commented much the same. He is such a disgusting and despicable character, and Michael brings such macabre gusto that it is an absolute blast. My brother and I adore the character so much. My brother always wants to do a cosplay of Betelgeuse when he’s spiky. The snake scene tends to spook people. Given its outrageousness, I figured it wouldn’t be too bad for you. Still, when rewatching, there was a spot or two during the big snake scene that there was concern, I even said, “Ok, yeah, that part’s bad!” And sure enough, the part you said you hated, was exactly the spot that I had the greatest concern for. Then there is Juno, whom I LIVE for the fact that you loved her. God bless Sylvia Sidney who is so underrated. Check out some of her golden age work about a century ago now if you’re curious. And it is just a strength of the film that all the characters are quite likeable. Except for Jane. KNEW she would incite a STRONG reaction from you. She was annoying years back, today, I shared your thoughts that the Maitlands can live in a big ass house if they want. Jane thinks the big ass house should go to someone with a family: Frankly, that’s none of her goddamn beeswax, and we’ll thank her to stay out of the Maitlands’ personal affairs. Love how Adam says the same, and you thanked him for saying that. Tying into two of the really sweet parts of this. First, how the Maitlands open the film hoping to have kids. The common thought is that they were unable to, they just never got the medical confirmation in life. Hence, it becomes sweet how they get to be ghoulish godparents to Lydia, allowing them to kind of be parents in death. The other really sweet thing about this film is how it has the message that death is just as screwy as life, and killing yourself is not the way to fix anything. It becomes rather therapeutic when you contend with suicidal ideations. The point gets really hammered home when Lydia tells Betelgeuse that she wants to die, he has one of his two most emotionally sincere moments where he drops his shtick and sincerely asks, “...Why?” and even when he covers his out-of-character moment, it sounds slightly half-assed. The climax of the film is spectacular. Horrifying when the Maitlands almost become exorcised, tellingly the Deetzes change their tune on the matter, and Otho also sounds genuinely apologetic. Leading to the child bride thing, which, yeah, tis unsettling. The fucked up thing is that, with copious help from the cartoon, again, see Ryan makes mention of it, over the years, Betelgeuse/Lydia has been a rather popular ship. Winona herself has gone on record that she considers them endgame. Who am I to rain on her one true pairing parade? The set-up also contains Betelgeuse’s second most emotionally sincere moment when he produces the finger with the ring, and he promises dead seriously, “I’m telling you, Honey, she meant NOTHING to me! NOTHING AT ALL!” The old Juice kicked up a mess with the sculptures coming to life, one of which should be on its way to kill all the finetimers. That powder blue leisure suit gag kills me every time. Loved how you just embraced the madness, let it run free. Massive props to Adam with the car, and especially Barbara riding the sandworm, your reaction to that being perfect. And with your own Dune quip, which now you know why I keep making Beetlejuice references in Dune. All ending on the absurdly feel-good Senora ending, whilst Betelgeuse gets into trouble waiting for his number to be called, which should take at or around somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-six years. Again, a wonderful reaction, Jess. I so adored it. You speak of the new Beetlejuice film entitled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 A.D. I would LOVE to see you react to it, if you wanted to. I saw it on the opening day with a buddy of mine, we had even better of a time than we were hoping for. We just loved it. I’m here for that reaction, if you want to. Not next month, obviously, as you say that there will be no series reaction, which is not a problem. Just, to be a broken record, I LOVED this reaction, Jess, thank you so very, very much.

Matthew

Fantastic! <3 I don't remember you polling this, but I was gonna rewatch this anyway, and now it'll be a hundred times better! :D Thank you x

DieWinterkirsche

Movie Series suggestions: "Older Marvel Movies" (Blade 1-3, Fantastic 4 1+2, Daredevil (2003), Electra), "Final Destination 1-5"

Geordie Joe

I haven't watched Beetlejuice in years. Someone gave it to me when I was about 10 years old on VHS in the early 90s. I guess they just looked at the cover art and thought it was a silly movie that kids might enjoy. Instead it almost traumatized me for life after the very first viewing. We only had a small handful of VHS tapes in our collection, so Beetlejuice ended up getting rewatched quite a few times and eventually, I desensitized myself to it in the end. At least this time around I'll be watching it with a friend instead of by myself. Movie Series Suggestions: Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, Back to The Future, Ice Age