Summary
After rewatchingBeetlejuicecountless times, I finally caught a detail about Adam and Barbara’s deaths that makes their early demise hilariously ironic. While there can certainly be someharsh realities of rewatchingBeetlejuiceover 35 years after its original release, such as real-world developments with cast members in the years sense, I enjoy giving the horror-comedy multiple viewings because of how many new details I catch each time. When really looking deeper into the smaller details ofBeetlejuice’s scenes, I’m able tonotice fun Easter eggs and jokes that add another amusing layer to the movie.
In fact,Beetlejuice’s opening sequence is filled with clever foreshadowing and hilarious subtle details. For instance, whenBarbara and Adam (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) present each other with gifts, the wrapping paper on Barbara’s gift has beetles on it. However, this cheeky detail doesn’t compare to the laugh I had to let out upon finally noticing theironic bumper sticker seen on Barbara and Adam’s yellow carbefore they tragically plunge to their deaths, which I had somehow missed for the first 20 years of watchingBeetlejuiceon repeat.
Adam & Barbara Have A Car Bumper Sticker That Says “I Brake For Animals”
Ironically, Their Failure To Do This Is What Kills Them
It took longer than I’m happy to admit to finally notice the detail, butAdam and Barbara’s car has a bumper sticker that reads “I Brake for Animals.”The bumper sticker is largely out of focus throughout the opening sequence, but with higher quality resolution in more recent releases ofBeetlejuice, it’s easier to read the ironic statement on the Maitlands’ car. Despite the “I Brake for Animals” sticker being the only decoration on their car, it hilariously turns out to not be true, and is the ultimate cause of their demise.
If Adam and Barbara had heeded the claim on their car, then they may have avoided their tragic deaths in Beetlejuice’s opening sequence.
Adam and Barbara do not, in fact, brake for animals inBeetlejuice. Rather than slam on the brakes when a small dog wanders in front of their car, the couple swerves off a bridge and plummet to their deaths. Even just about a minute earlier when Adam and Barbara suddenly stop on the road, it’s to say hello to their neighbor rather than avoid hitting the dog crossing the street in front of them. If Adam and Barbara had heeded the claim on their car, then they may have avoided their tragic deaths inBeetlejuice’s opening sequence.
Beetlejuice 2 Finally Confirms The Death Of 1 Major Original Character After A Year Of Speculation
Beetlejuice 2’s first official trailer confirms a long-standing theory about the death of a major original character in the Tim Burton sequel.
It’s a hilarious detail from theclassic Tim Burton moviethat I wish I had been aware of on earlier rewatches.In addition to making Adam and Barbara’s deaths more ironic, it highlights their naive naturewhile also foreshadowing that despite their good intentions, the Maitlands will find themselves going down the path of more chaos and danger when in desperate situations. For instance, although the Maitlands intend to peacefully ensure thatBeetlejuice’s Deetz familyleaves their house, their desperate resolution to recruit Beetlejuice’s help ends up endangering and harming Lydia, who they deeply care about.
Barbara & Adam’s Ironic Beetlejuice Deaths Thankfully Avoided A Grim Tim Burton Trend
AfterBeetlejuice, a curious trademark was established in thatseveral Tim Burton movies feature dead dogs. Oddly, these are most prominent in his animated movies, withThe Nightmare Before Christmas,Corpse Bride, andFrankenweenieeach having a deceased dogas the protagonist’s closest companion. With Burton’s originalFrankweenieshort film having been released in 1984,Beetlejuicehaving an important dog character could have very easily culminated in a tragic twist.
However, since the dog ultimately survived Barbara and Adam’s car crash completely unharmed,Beetlejuiceavoided being Tim Burton’s first full-feature movie with a prominent dead dog character. The dog never actually appears again after stepping off the loose board on the bridge, withBeetlejuice’s recurring “animal” then becoming the dangerous Sandworms in the afterlife’s Saturn location. However, given Tim Burton’s continued fascination with dog characters in his afterlife-related stories, it remains to be seen whetherBeetlejuice 2’s storywill end up following this trend.
Beetlejuice 2 Must Avoid Repeating The Original Movie’s Adam & Barbara Plot Hole
With Beetlejuice 2’s story being expected to add new ghosts, Tim Burton’s sequel needs to avoid an original error regarding Adam & Barbara’s deaths.
I’m Still Wondering What Happened To The Dog After Beetlejuice’s Opening Sequence
The Dog Never Reappears In Beetlejuice
Though not among thebiggest burning questions aboutBeetlejuice, I’ve still been curious about what happened to the dog and who the pup actually belonged to in Winter River. He’s seen walking near the Maitlands’ house, crossing the road when they wave hello to their neighbor Ernie, and manages to escape the fall from the bridge, only to never be seen again by the Maitlands or Deetzes.Since nobody would know that the dog was involved in Barbara and Adam’s fatal car crash, the dog likely just returned homeor continued wandering Winter River.
In an earlier draft ofBeetlejuice’s script, the dog was given the name “Rocket” and was revealed to belong to a newspaper boy named Jimmy.
It would have been a fun nod to the opening if the dog appeared when Lydia rides her bike around Winter River inBeetlejuice’s ending, but it’s more reassuring to believe that he simply got home safe and stopped wandering in front of moving vehicles. Despite somedarkBeetlejuicetheories suggesting Janesent the dog to sabotage the Maitlands so she could sell their house, the small town seems to just feel secure letting their dogs roam. Still, with 36 years passing sinceBeetlejuice, thedog could potentially return inBeetlejuice 2’s afterlife realmas an update on his fate.
Beetlejuice
Cast
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist”, an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they pass into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.
