The American Dream Part 2- Beetlejuice vs Dracula

Another post, another matchup. This time the two reviews will be on the mythical and damn right bizaare with Francis Ford Coppola's "Dracula" and Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice".

Dracula, you're up first.

I have to admit I hadn't seen many of Copolla's works, apart from the acclaimed Godfather trilogy, so I was genuinely looking forward to seeing his take on Nosferatu, I wondered which direction it would swing whether it would be a dark out and out horror or maybe something more subtle.

Well, when the credits rolled and I saw Keano Reeves my high hopes were significantly knocked, and then I heard the "English" accent, Jesus I could act better than him. Aside from that I felt that the cast was actually very strong and luckily Keano doesn't play a major part in the picture, Gary Oldman steals the show as the Count and Winona Ryder gives a very good performance as seductive character Mina with Anthony Hopkins appearing out of nowhere as Van Helsing, it is certainly a star studded affair.

As far as Copolla's direction goes, it was very interesting, an over sexualised account of the beast was a good choice in my opinion. It gave the whole piece a fresh outlook. The first act was great, I enjoyed watching the buildup to Keano's trip to Transylvania, and the prelude detailing the day the Count cursed his body for eternity was very fulfilling. However, the ending... it felt as it the film had morphed into a dumb downed blockbuster as Winona gracefully puts the stake through the Counts heart, she follows that with hacking his head off with the blade. Why? Why swipe his head off when you've already killed the creature with the stake? Way too obvious and clunky in my opinion which almost spoilt a slow burning drama. Furthermore, guess what, Copolla couldn't decide upon the ending and his friend Mr George Lucas stepped inand ushered him to have her take his head off. Another great decision George! That's almost like having this great trilogy about a guy who travels the world in search of ancient relics and then throwing in Aliens for the hell of it.

Overall I'd give the film a kind 3.5 stars out of 5, the ending really did let the picture down for me.

 Keep em coming.

Next up... Beetlejuice.

Another dark film about a couple who die in a car crash and are stuck in their home for eternity, that wouldn't be too bad would it? but drama ensues when an obnoxious family in with a gothic teenage daughter, good old Winona, the couple are forced to enlist the help of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) a ghastly ghoul who eradicates humans.

I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton, especially his more recent work, but credit where credit's due this is a fine film that had me laughing out loud at several occasions and startled at some of the effects and active questions raised for example when the couple attempts to leave the house there is an fascinating glimpse into nothing-ness a never-ending desert occupied by a sand whale of some sorts.

Michael Keaton is hilarious in his portrayal of scumbag ghoul Beetlejuice, he is mentioned subtly throughout however only truly makes an entrance 35 minutes into the film, considering its only a 90 minute feature its amazing that the title character doesn't appear in the first third at all. That was one of my criticisms of the film, Keaton is simply magic on screen and its a shame he isn't in it longer.

The ending was nowhere near as jarring as Dracula's and does finish at the right time.

A delightfully fun film that reminds me that Tim Burton is a visionary, or was anyway, if you haven't seen it make sure you do, you won't regret it. A solid 4.5 out of 5.

Part 3 of this mini American series coming up will involve The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Fincher's take).