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Created Mar 11, 2012 03:36PM PST • Edited Nov 15, 2014 06:19PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Lesser Tim Burton and greater Michael Keaton add up to a fitfully funny fantasy. Keaton nails the title role, a ghost-for-hire paid to chase off pesky humans. If only he were onscreen for more of the movie.

   Burton achieved greater comic-horror results with Edward Scissorhands a couple of years later. Still, Beetlejuice is a hoot, a must-see for Burton and Keaton fans, and a fun romp for teen to adult audiences.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Michael Keaton’s name appears above the title because he dominates the movie, though he’s onscreen for maybe a quarter of the running time. Amped up with id unleashed, he spews a rush of uncivilized quips that are often hilarious.

   Geena Davis & Alec Baldwin are charming and attractive as a young couple who need his services. They’re not especially funny however.

   The very good supporting cast includes:

   • Catherine O’Hara & Jeffrey Jones as an obnoxious NY couple who buy a country house and proceed to ruin it.
   • Winona Ryder as their Goth daughter.
   • Glenn Shadix as their showily affected interior designer.

   Robert Goulet and Dick Cavett make memorable cameos.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.9

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Fierce 1.6

19. Rudeness Salty 2.4

21. Reality

    Fantasy 4.2

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.5

23. Biological Fantasy 5.0

24. Physical Fantasy 5.0