As a film critic who’s seen more movies than I care to remember, I must say that ‘Beetlejuice 2’ has left quite an impression. The choice of “MacArthur Park” for their grand musical number was nothing short of genius! It’s a song that’s as peculiar and unforgettable as the original film itself.
In the summer of 2024, audiences weren’t sure if the revival of “Beetlejuice” would capture the same charm as the 1988 original, a cherished classic. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, the team aimed to avoid creating a simple nostalgia-driven sequel and instead waited for a fresh story they believed was worth telling. Fortunately, their efforts paid off, with the film becoming one of the biggest box office successes of the year, earning over $450 million globally and reigniting audience affection for the characters. Despite their intention to avoid repetition, certain elements from the original film were inevitably carried forward. One such element is reminiscent of one of the first movie’s most iconic scenes: the supernatural lip-sync performance.
In the original storyline, the mysterious Maitlands (portrayed by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) enchant the Deetz family with a lively performance of Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in an effort to drive them out of their home. Since then, this scene has gained legendary status, transforming Belafonte’s rendition of the Jamaican folk song into a timeless classic. For the sequel, Burton sought to surpass expectations. Thus, “MacArthur Park” was introduced.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Big Musical Number
In the heart of the movie, following Lydia (Winona Ryder) agreeing to a second chance at marrying Betelgeuse (from the previous film), Betelgeuse orchestrates an elaborate wedding ceremony. This is to help Lydia rescue her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) from the afterlife. The ceremony, attended unwillingly by Astrid and Lydia’s mom Delia (Catherine O’Hara), is officiated by the zealous Father Damien (Burn Gorman). Not long afterward, everyone finds themselves involuntarily singing and dancing to the tune of “MacArthur Park.
Such an absurdly humorous scene calls for an equally absurd tune, and “MacArthur Park” fits perfectly given its origin. Composed by Jimmy Webb in 1967, a period when pop music was becoming increasingly complex and daring due to the influence of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band , Webb penned it as part of an ambitious, lengthy cantata. He offered this piece to the psych-pop band the Association, who were popular at that time with hits like “Windy” and “Cherish”. However, the band declined, and Webb believed the project was over.
Up until late that year, he hadn’t crossed paths with actor Richard Harris; this encounter took place at a charitable event in LA. The esteemed Irish actor had just earned his second Oscar nomination for portraying King Arthur in the movie adaptation of Camelot, and he was eager to explore a career in music. Together, they produced an entire album, and “MacArthuer Park” was unveiled as a single in April 1968. Harry Potter enthusiasts will surely recall Harris as the initial Albus Dumbledore from the first two films, before his passing in 2002 necessitated a replacement by Michael Gambon.
“MacArthur Park’s” Strange Afterlife
As a movie critic, I found it quite unexpected that “MacArthur Park” was selected as a single, given its extended length of over seven minutes – more than double the typical pop single duration. Traditionally, longer tunes haven’t fared well on mainstream radio. However, defying all expectations, this song turned out to be a surprising hit, climbing up to the second spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968 and becoming one of the year’s most popular tracks. Although Harris didn’t quite catapult into pop superstardom with this success, he persisted in producing music alongside his acting endeavors for several years to come.
Although “MacArthur Park” initially reached its conclusion, it didn’t stop other musicians from attempting their interpretations in later years. Notable artists like Waylon Jennings and the Four Tops gave it a try, and even garnered a humorous parody in “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Jurassic Park” in 1993. A decade after its debut, disco icon Donna Summer’s version climbed to number one on the charts in 1978. In the movie, Harris’s rendition is used for the lip-sync performance, but Summer’s rendition can be heard during the film’s ending credits.
Over time, “MacArthur Park” has earned the label as one of pop music’s infamous “poorly received songs.” Originating from the ’60s, it is often seen as an over-emotional piece with strange and confusing lyrics about cakes dissolving in the rain. Notably, it was used humorously in a Season 4 episode of The Simpsons, where one student performed a tedious rendition on the tabla during a talent show, leaving parents uninterested.
The reason Burton selected the song for the film’s significant musical scene is likely because it matches well with Beetlegeuse’s character; it seems fitting that he would choose such a bizarre song to symbolize his marriage to Lydia. As per Cinemablend’s Mark Reyes, when asked about the choice of song by Burton, he mentioned that it wasn’t scripted but came from his personal collection of songs and felt suitable due to its operatic and grandiose tone. Whether “MacArthur Park” is deemed as good or bad, it’s a song that leaves an indelible impression, making it perfect for accompanying one of the year’s most unforgettable movie scenes.
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2024-12-15 06:31