Beetlejuice (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers      
 Release Date: September 1, 2020
Rating:  PG
Film:  4/5
 
 Plot
 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!
 
 My Thoughts
 Like a lot of Tim Burton films, Beetlejuice is something that gets better with time and multiple exposures to its humor. The writing is excellent and the pacing is perfect at just over 90 minutes long. Virtually every member of the main cast went on to illustrious careers including Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Wynona Ryder, and of course, Michael Keaton, who would ultimately win an Oscar for his role in Birdman.
 
What’s fun about watching movies from the 80s is the lack of CGI effects since everything was done naturally. I loved the miniature cityscape in the attic and Burton’s eye for every detail being spot on. This is the type of movie that if you pay close attention to the dialog, you’ll find hidden humor that probably went over your head the first time you watched it.
 
Warner has hit a home run with the UHD release. Colors particularly look great—especially reds and blues—and the film grain is left in tact and doesn’t have the glossy look of a modernly shot digital production. The audio track has been upgraded to Atmos, which serves the material well.

  
 Video 9.75/10 
 
 Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
 Special Features:
 
·        “Beetlejuice” Cartoon Episodes
·        Music-Only Audio Track
·        Theatrical Trailer
·        Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 
 

 Conclusion
 All of Burton’s productions have a unique look and feel to them, but this is the one that really put Burton on the map. The humor while appropriate for kids has some adult content that will fly right over the kids heads and is the type of film that gets better the more times you view it. The production design is off the charts and the transfer into 4K is to die for. Highly recommended.  

 
 Reference Review System:
  
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)

Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Spot on Dave. Yeah, totally enjoyed this one from top to bottom. 


Regards,