Film Review: Betelgeuse (short film) (2019)

REVIEW:

More short films, kiddies! Today we have BETELGEUSE, directed by Chris R. Notarile. The film was written by Chris Notarile along with Michael McDowell, Warran Skaaren and Larry Wilson.

As the title suggests, this is a Beetlejuice fanfilm. Pretty well done, actually. This director has done several of these type of films from different genres. So he knows what he’s doing.

Our story opens on Ellie (Mariah Maison) who has become one of the “recently deceased”.  She returns home to find her handbook (come on, I don’t need to explain that, do I?) and meets her caseworker Tammy (Llenelle Gibson).

Alas, her partner Tom (Chris Callaway) is not among the living impaired and Ellie is facing the afterlife all alone. Fortunately for her, the famous bio-exorcist (played by Heath Harper) is ready to assist her in getting her life back….sort of.

I probably don’t need to explain how the help of Beetlejuice comes at too high a price, and that Ellie has to find a way to take the power back after summoning him.

I enjoy fan films, and can appreciate the cleverness of recreating an established story in a new way. This is basically the same story as the original film but with just enough of a twist to make it a new story.

The eponymous hero (villain? you be the judge) is played by Heath Harper, who has an impressive listing of credits including playing John Constantine in another fanfilm by Mr. Notarile. Mr. Harper does an admirable job recreating the character originally played by Michael Keaton. Working in the haunt industry, I’ve seen no shortage of Beetlejuice impersonators and I have to say that Mr. Harper’s version is one of the best I have seen.

This is good stuff, you guys. Trust me…just watch it.