You're actually hitting on why I feel like this is his Young Frankenstein. This movie is authentic to the original Beetlejuice (just saw it a second time), and he has an unlimited budget for this movie (like how Brooks had an enormous budget for Young Frankenstein), yet he is restrained enough to make you think this movie came out in 88 like the original. Were it not for the obvious slapstick comedy, Young Frankenstein maintains an aura of being filmed right alongside the original horror classic.
Objectively, I believe Brooks to be a superior filmmaker over Burton, but I'm certain some would take umbrage to that. After seeing it a second time, I feel bad for those that can't keep up with the four or five storylines this movie juggles. They are handled with a deft touch, and literally every one of those stories get resolved as neatly as a movie that treats life and death as a mere serving suggestion can resolve them.