Review of Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice (1989–1991)
8/10
The continued adventures of the "Ghost with the Most"
21 January 2012
"Beetlejuice" is the animated TV series based on the popular 1988 Tim Burton movie of the same name; Burton's original 1988 horror-comedy masterpiece "Beetlejuice" is my #8 favorite movie of all time. The cartoon series was a favorite of mine growing up, and even then I knew it was vastly different from its source material (which seems to raise more than a few issues about the continuity between the two, and people's overall enjoyment of the show).

I personally enjoyed the show a lot when I was a kid when I could catch it on TV, but it's no Tim Burton "Beetlejuice" ("Beetlejuice" the cartoon was obviously made to cash in on the movie's success, and Burton's increasing popularity in the wake of the "Beetlejuice" movie and "Batman").

Like the movie, the animated "Beetlejuice" cartoon series follows the adventures of the title character (played in the live-action film by Michael Keaton), an undead trouble-making specter who in the 1988 film was the primary antagonist of a deceased Connecticut couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who called upon the "Ghost with the Most" to rid their home of its obnoxious new tenants (a family from New York City consisting of Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, and Winona Ryder). In the series, Beetlejuice has returned and is now best buds with Lydia. There's no animosity between the two and their adventures consist mostly of them and their encounters with other ghastly ghouls and spirits in the land of the undead.

There's not a whole lot to truly hate about "Beetlejuice," other than the fact that it was toned-down significantly from the original live-action movie (the titular character's constant swearing, and weird & lecherous behavior), which did at times push the limits of its "PG" rating. But being that it's only a kid's show, that's only to be expected. Just watch the movie if you love "Beetlejuice" so much.

Dare you say his name three times!

8/10
0 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed