Don Shanahan
After a successful theatrical run this past fall, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has hit store shelves just in time for the holidays and Black Friday shopping. The long-awaited legacy sequel from visionary director Tim Burton is available on 4K UHD disc, Blu-ray, and DVD after a digital debut back on October 8th. At select retailers, the 1988 original is combined with the new one for a two-movie set and a SteelBook edition is available. Film Obsessive was able to receive an advance copy of the 4K UHD disc for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to review for our regular “Off the Shelf” series. Let’s see if the “Ghost with Most” has a disc with the most.
THE MOVIE
Film Obsessive’s Jay Rohr reviewed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice fully and positively at the time of its theatrical debut back in September. Enjoy that excellent piece, but here’s a quick take. After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Winona Ryder returns as Tim Burton’s central protagonist Lydia. She’s back trying to manage her eccentric mother Delia (fellow original cast member Catherine O’Hara) and skeptical daughter Astrid (new addition Jenna Ortega of Wednesday).
Still haunted by the cheekily demonic Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton, in his most iconic role), Lydia’s life is turned upside down when Astrid, discovers the mysterious old model of the town in the attic and the previously closed portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms,–the living one and the dead underworld– it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. Meanwhile, the spook’s vengeance-minded ex-wife (Monica Bellucci) is hot on his trail, drawing the attention of the underworld police led by a former action star (Willem Dafoe).
THE DISC
Right off the top, the 4K UHD disc of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is tuned up to full Dolby Digtal and ATMOS TrueHD levels. Thanks to excellent set design and a mix of practical and digital special effects employed by Tim Burton and his production teams, the physical textures and vibrant colors pop off the screen. Folks forget how much song-and-dance comes with a Beetlejuice movie, meaning when the soundtrack kicks up, the speaker mix booms with it. Beyond the loud stuff, the cracking corpses and squirting liquids of many types ping your viewing ears just fine.
From a special features standpoint, the first one to appreciate is something that has become a rarity in the last few years: a director’s commentary! Tim Burton was keen and kind enough to step into the recording studio, and his accompanying track does not disappoint. He expounds often with his artistic eye, while still offering plenty of anecdotes of reflection and nostalgia. After that unexpected treat, here are the other Beetlejuice Beetlejuice special features totally nearly two hours:
The Juice is Loose! The Making of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (27 minutes)– This one is your typical studio-produced featurette flowing from montage to montage with actors and creators extolling their compliments on the experience you see in the background.
The Ghost with the Most: Beetlejuice Returns (9 minutes)— Michael Keaton fans will rejoice for this sit-down on returning to one of his most notable roles. Folks will want this one to triple the length with no hesitation.
Meet the Deetz (7 minutes)— Old faces (O’Hara, Ryder) meet new faces (Ortega) with an emphasis on the strongly established female family dynamic created in the film. Jenna Ortega got to take away quite an experience from Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, and this small chat showcases that.
Handbook for the Recently Deceased (12 minutes)— While the title suggests a featurette that finally cracks the cover of the famed manual featured in both Beetlejuice films, this behind-the-scenes look focuses on the hair and makeup teams that dressed up the many uniquely enlivened corpses in the film. Send your regards to Danny DeVito getting the bit started.
Shrinkers, Shrinkers Everywhere! (7 minutes)— One the best portions of practical effects and recurring bits of physical humor of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice belong to the shrunken head office mates of Keaton’s Beetlejuice. This small diary shows the animatronic and costume feats of those sidekicks.
An Animated Afterlife: The Stop-Motion Art of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (9 minutes)— Calling back to Old Hollywood, Tim Burton’s esteem and regard for stop-motion animation as a former animator himself is boundless. His tactile and textured creations trump CGI every time.
‘Til Death Do Us Park (8 minutes)— The title of this final special feature plays on the 1967 Richard Harris song “MacArthur Park,” which plays a show-stopping and hilarious role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Burton and the cast go through the dance choreography, fashion choices, set space, and song delivery it took charge up the dazzling climax of the movie.
