Warner (Geffen Production)
“Beetlejuice” 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition debuts September 16, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def.
The cult classic of 1988, a colorful, wildly imaginative family adventure from creative genius Tim Burton, combines comedy and horror and stars Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Winona Ryder. The DVD arrives Newly Remastered with Three Zany Episodes of Beetlejuice TV Cartoons Blu-ray Hi-Def Version also includes a Soundtrack Sampler CD and Booklet
What’s a couple of stay-at-home ghosts to do when their beloved home is taken over by trendy yuppies?
They call on Beetlejuice, the afterlife’s freelance bio-exorcist to scare off the family and everyone gets more than she, he or it bargains for! Tim Burton guides this PG-rated comedy monsterpiece. Keaton is Beetlejuice, the ghost with the most who flings one-liners, spins into grotesque forms, gobbles insects, and who just can’t leave the ladies (living or dead) alone.
Based on a screenplay by Michael McDowell and Warren Skarren (from a story by McDowell and Larry Wilson, the movie is a most suitable vehicle for Burton’s visual style and twisted imagination, with clever ideas and gags packed into practically every scene. “Beetlejuice” also served as a good showcase for Michael Keaton, who tackles the title role with maniacal relish and a dark edge of menace. Keaton went on to star in the first “Batman” pictures directed by Burton, “Batman” in 1989 and “Batman Returns” in 1992.
The second film by Tim Burton, “Beetlejuice” fulfilled the promise that he showed in his debut, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” made in 1985, when he was only 25, but already experienced. His six-minute animated short, “Vincent” 1982) was modeled after and narrated by his childhood hero-star, the actor Vincent Price. After that, Burton made several highly-acclaimed live shorts, such as “”Hansel and Gretel,” which featured an all-Asian cast, and “Frankenweenie,” a 30-minute film for Disney, in which the monster is a dog; considered too scary for children, the short was never released properly.
“Beetlejuice,” just as “Pee-Wee” displayed Burton unique qualities as a director, his wild imagination, visual inventiveness, a surreal (some say demented) sensibility and eye for the absurd, macabre humor.
“Beetlejuice” received an Oscar Award for Best Makeup with renowned makeup artist and three-time Oscar-winner Ve Neill. The film was ranked on AFI’s Top 100 list of Funniest American Movies.
Packaged in a new eye-popping way, Beetlejuice 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will also include three Beetlejuice cartoons from the successful TV series, which was produced by Burton and David Geffen and ran for four successful seasons.
A visual treat in high definition, the Blu-ray Hi-Def version will also include a soundtrack sampler CD and collectible booklet.
“Beetlejuice” was brought to life from the imaginative mind of Tim Burton, who went on to produce and direct some of the most visually stunning films of our time, such as “Batman,” which launched a viable franchise, “Edward Scissorhands,” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” “Big Fish,” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
Beetlejuice 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition which streets in time for back-to-school shopping and Halloween, will sell for $19.96 SRP and the Blu-ray Hi-Def will be released for $34.99 SRP.
Special Features
Beetlejuice Cartoon Episodes
* A-Ha
* Skeletons In The Closet
* Spooky Boo-tique
Oscar Alert
In 1988, “Beetlejuice” competed for the Makeup Oscar with Rick Baker’s work on “Coming to America,” Eddie Murphy’s comedy, and Tom Burman and Bari Dreiband-Burman on “Scrooged.”
Cast
Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin)
Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis)
Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton)
Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara)
Otho (Glenn Shadix)
Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder)
Charles Deets (Jeffrey Jones)
Juno (Sylvia Sidney)
Receptionist (Patrice Martinez)
Maxie Dean (Robert Goulet)
Running Time: 92 Minutes
MPAA Rated: PG