As a child of the 80s who grew up with Tim Burton’s enchanting worlds, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. The inclusion of “MacArthur Park” in this sequel was nothing short of a masterstroke. It took me back to the days when I would listen to that song on repeat, trying to unravel its labyrinthine lyrics just like our beloved Betelgeuse.
Upon revisiting both the 2024 film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and its original from 1988, I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern. It took me some time to catch on, but it seems that both movies use their opening logos to signal a significant musical cue that appears later in the film. In the case of “Beetlejuice,” the movie hints at “Banana Boat (Day-O),” while its sequel, as a clue for its chaos, uses the Donna Summer cover of “MacArthur Park.
Prior to deciphering that specific pattern in his work, even before penning my review for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, I sensed there was a deeper significance in director Tim Burton’s choice to play that particular song. When I inquired about this hidden meaning, the genius behind “Edward Scissorhands” provided an explanation that resonated profoundly, especially as a connoisseur of pop culture.
Why Tim Burton Chose MacArthur Park For Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Musical Climax
During our participation in the lively interviews at the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice press tour, we had the opportunity to engage in an informative roundtable discussion with director Tim Burton himself. On this day, I was among several other journalists who collectively quizzed Mr. Burton on various aspects of his illustrious career.
Earlier, I shared several insights gathered from our Tim Burton roundtable interview. However, there was an unusual topic that didn’t align with the rest – quite fittingly, given the subject matter. For now, let me just mention that “MacArthur Park” is a song notorious in pop culture history due to its label as a “poorly made song.
It turns out that I’ve developed a bit of a fondness for a song often criticized, and that’s particularly true since it provided the basis for Weird Al Yankovic’s hit parody “Jurassic Park.” Curiosity piqued, I reached out to Tim Burton to learn why he chose this very tune. During our conversation with TopMob, he shared this intriguing story:
I’ve got an unusual collection of songs for my personal playlist. After all, everyone has one, don’t they? Well, this particular tune wasn’t part of any plan or script, but it resonated with the overall vibe and seemed fitting. It’s a song I adore, emotional and operatic, with a touch of strangely romantic grandeur. Given Beetlejuice’s character as a multi-talented, multilingual individual, it seemed like the perfect addition. And let me tell you, it was truly a beautiful moment in an otherwise peculiar context.
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel that Warner Bros should compile an “Eccentric Soundtrack by Tim Burton” for the die-hard Beetlejuice community. Over time, I’ve heard tales about how the original artist and Harry Potter actor, Richard Harris, was rumored to have used the notorious song as a threat to discipline his children just by singing it.
Feel free to listen to and form your own opinion about “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris. It’s crucial for our conversation, so I encourage you to appreciate the song or simply observe it. Enjoy!
After initially hearing that song as a young adult, I discovered the cherished sensation of advocating for a widely criticized piece of media as “worthwhile.” Despite my inability to criticize it like others did, it taught me the valuable lesson of appreciating the overlooked, a lesson I’ve carried with me throughout my professional journey. This perspective is evident in many of my writings, such as when I defended “Quantum of Solace” as Daniel Craig’s defining James Bond adventure.
Discovering that Tim Burton, known for cherishing quirky and unique art forms, had a fondness for this particular song was an interesting find. Hearing more about why this tune was chosen for Beetlejuice (played by Michael Keaton) and his second attempt to wed Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), as explained by Mr. Burton himself, only heightened that intrigue. Here’s a glimpse into the story behind Mr. Burton’s decision, shared with TopMob:
In a casual and engaging manner, let me rephrase: We didn’t fuss over the script, the studio, or anyone else. Instead, we simply jumped in and got it done, which, as I mentioned earlier, really fueled my passion for filmmaking. It’s all about that thrill of the unknown. It’s not something fixed and definite; it’s something we ponder upon but ultimately let go, choosing to act instead. And it felt incredibly freeing.
In recent discussions about the budget constraints of Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice,” it has been noted that the term “liberating” keeps coming up. This new account sheds light on a prior context: The director of “Dumbo” considered leaving the film industry altogether following the challenging production of his previous movie.
Delving deeper into the making of the movie, the tales of teamwork between the renowned director and everyone involved further underscore how passionately this project was created. This, in turn, brings us to another important aspect – the film’s writers have also shared their reasons for why “MacArthur Park” was ready to shine again.
The Further Steps That Solidified Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Huge Musical Number
In a chat with THR following the film’s release, Beetlejuice 2’s screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar shared some insight into why that particular song had such significance in the original. According to Gough, they couldn’t resist the urge to revisit one of Beetlejuice’s most memorable scenes: a nod to its iconic past.
In our quest for an outstanding finale, we yearned for another catchy musical number reminiscent of “Day-O”. However, replicating such a classic tune seemed impossible. As the film reached its climax with the wedding and other events unfolding, we craved something more extraordinary. Coincidentally, Tim was also on the hunt for the perfect tune. His kitchen was equipped with a jukebox, and one day he phoned to share his discovery: “I’ve been listening to ‘MacArthur Park’, and it just won’t leave my mind. I think this should be our song.” The Richard Harris version lasts for seven and a half minutes, and Tim wanted to incorporate every second of it. Consequently, we fashioned the third act around that extended song and the peculiar dance sequences embedded within it, shaping the structure of that sequence accordingly.
In any media setting, just seven and a half minutes could significantly impact whether a movie succeeds or fails. Add to that the risk of a poorly executed song ruining your film experience, and you’re looking at a situation ripe for trouble. Given my history of passionate discussions about the proper interpretation of “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, I can certainly empathize with this delicate balance.
As a dedicated gamer, diving back into the world of “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” was a thrilling journey, and I, Miles Millar, was no exception. Just like Tim Burton and Alfred Gough, I was deeply invested in shining light on the intriguing “MacArthur Park” scene. In fact, I saw it as an opportune moment for the movie, here’s why:
The track fits the Beetlejuice vibe perfectly because it’s so outlandish and unique. Upon another listen, we found it packed with twists – from the strange bridge featuring an orchestral number that syncs well with Willem Dafoe’s crypt emergence alongside the Ghoul Squad. With various components, the song offers a rich palette for Tim to work with, although it was lengthy at first. Yet, when we tried shortening it, Tim insisted on keeping every bit, and he proved correct.
As a gamer, if this were any typical sequel, Catherine O’Hara’s subtle nod towards “Banana Boat (Day-O)” would have hinted at its reappearance, perhaps with a grander, more spectacular rendition. However, in the case of Beetlejuice, Tim Burton, Miles Millar, and Alfred Gough chose to shake things up, delivering a scene that serves as a clear indicator: you’re either all in for Beetlejuice or you’re not.
In my opinion, what makes “MacArthur Park” so significant to me is that it represented a daring move by Burton and his team. They defied the preconceived notions established solely due to this film’s existence, choosing to revisit a story that was widely believed to be resolved. The inclusion of this song in the soundtrack served to keep viewers intrigued, presenting innovative twists on well-known tunes while simultaneously adding another layer to our collection of unusual playlists.
It took nearly four decades for the success of Beetlejuice to be followed by this fresh take on its theme, despite several failed attempts suggesting it might never happen again. Yet, here we find ourselves witnessing a revitalized Tim Burton returning to the dark side, using his unique blend of vaudeville flair to explore mortality in a new way.
Following my enjoyable viewing of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I’m not overly concerned if there’s no third installment planned. However, should they maintain the same level of craftsmanship and affection in a hypothetical sequel, I will undoubtedly be among the eager ones to dance along with whatever quirky tune plays in the future. Essentially, I’m absolutely looking forward to re-watching the original Beetlejuice again, cherishing it even more now that it’s accessible through a Max subscription.
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2024-09-24 04:07