Besides from the seeing the new "This Is It" and saying Im a huge Michael Jackson fan, I thought I would prove it and see a movie he actually did back in his time. "Moonwalker" breaks all rules, laws, and scripts in the film making history. It's completed in a phenomenal fashion all leading up to the highlight of the film. A triumph comic-book texture short entitled "Smooth Criminal" which Ill discuss later.
Besides being subject to jokes and media, we need to remember that back in the 80s everyone was into Michael Jackson. So having a movie on him titled by his dance that only a handful knew, Moonwalker. The film is what you would call, a montage of Jackson clips, so Ill have to do separate paragraphs to sort these out so I don't do block writing entirely. Though I may combine some since some are very short.
The movie opens with Michael Jackson singing "Main In the Mirror" at a live concert. He is covered in sweat and singing his heart out just to please his fans. Then it cuts to a kaleidoscopic view of MJ's career leading up till 1988. We see early clips of The Jacksons 5. From "ABC" to "Beat It", it's all there.
Then we get a short clip of "Bad", entitled "Badder". The kids are amazingly talented, doing back flips, front flips, everything while lip syncing key point of the MJ song. It was sort of unnecessary having this on the tape seeing as I didn't want to see kids sing one of my favorite songs. Sure they were lip syncing, but I would like to see my one of my favorite songs sung by the artist. Not pre "Kidz Bop" it up.
Followed by, my favorite of the film, "Speed Demon" which is MJ being bombarded by his fans who are claymation figures. The scene, is overall colorful and very upbeat. MJ acts natural, as if he has done this before (which he probably has). Overall, this is the best thing on the tape, so far.
"Leave Me Alone" is a heartfelt crowdpleaser, showing MJ dancing in front of a crowd, announcing to everyone who can hear him to, well, leave him alone. It's a catchy tune that is definitely and underrated portion of the film.
The next clip, is the main course, and the point of this whole film extravaganza. It is Michael Jackson, playing a superhero trying to stop Mr. Big (Joe Pesci) from drug-dealing crime boss with an army of henchmen. Michael Jackson, at the same time, is protecting Katie, Zeke, and Sean three homeless kids who spy on MJ. After escaping Mr. Big's clutches, MJ goes into the club and begins dancing to "Smooth Criminal" while defeating Big's henchman. Thats all you can say without giving anything away. It is a real standout from the movie and the dance choreography is stunning. Michael is probably the at his most lively stage yet, and not putting himself or dancers into any grueling treatment.
Then the last two segments are minor, though serve a purpose. "Come Together" isn't the greatest thing to come out of the tape. It is a little long, but still not awful. "Come Together" is a song originally written and sung by The Beatles being sung by Jackson here. In my opinion it should have stayed sung by The Beatles.
"The Moon is Walking" and the music video of "Smooth Criminal" closes this heartfelt film. My only complaint is that this movie is unsure of what it wants to be. First, it wants to be a documentary, then it wants to be a compilation of music videos and music clips. It jumps around and at points is confused. But for the most part, "Moonwalker" is a sensational movie that is sure too please MJ's fans.
Moonwalker
1988
Action / Crime / Fantasy / Music / Thriller
Plot summary
A movie that starts out with the "Man in the Mirror" music video, it then changes to a montage of video clips of Michael's career. Next comes a parody of his Bad video by children, and then Michael is chased by fans in a fantasy sequence. 2 more videos are shown, and then a movie in which Michael plays a hero with magical powers. In it he is chased by drug dealer Mr. Big and saves three children. Videos included in the movie are "Smooth Criminal" and "Come Together".
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MJ at His Fullest Energy
Moonwalker
When it was announced the "King of Pop" was dead at age 50, a month before he was to start a series of live comeback shows at London's O2 Arena, it was a huge shock to millions of people around the world. He was, and will forever be one of the most talented voices and dancers in the music industry, and he will be missed terribly. I decided to remind myself how wonderful he was by watching this film. The first ten or fifteen minutes of the film see television appearances, music videos and live concerts of Michael Jackson singing and dancing, from Jackson 5/Jacksons fame growing to be a successful solo artist. It reaches the video for "Bad", and it sees the video being spoofed by some kids, until the real Michael comes in with some animated fans chasing him, while he is disguised as an animated rabbit on a motorbike. After two more music videos, it moves to a very tame storyline where Mr. Big (Joe Pesci) is trying to get kids to use drugs, and Michael is the one to save the three main children: Zeke 'Baby Bad' Michael (Brandon Quintin Adams),Sean (Sean Lennon, John and Yoko's son) and Katie (Kellie Parker). Also starring Jermaine Jackson II (his son) and Mick Jagger. The story is pretty terrible to be honest, but fans of Jackson will obviously have some fun, I only give an average rating because of the interesting animation, special effects, and of course, the fantastic songs with fantastic dance routines. Featuring part and full songs: "ABC", "Bad", "Beat It", "Ben", "Billie Jean", "Blame It On The Boogie", "Can You Feel It", "Dirty Diana", "Dont Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Human Nature", "Leave Me Alone", "Man in the Mirror", "Rock With You", "Smooth Criminal", "Thriller" and "The Way You Make Me Feel". Michael Jackson was number 14 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and he was number 6 on The Ultimate Pop Star. Worth watching, at least once!
Freaked Me Out
Why do people class this as a " Feature film " ? It`s nothing of the sort , it`s just an ego trip for someone who`s had too much excess in life and has started to believe the hype . Look at the opening sequence of Jacko performing Man In The Mirror , it`s intercut with footage of Martin Luther King , Ghandi , John Lennon and others . Are we to seriously believe Jacko belongs in such esteemed company ? No doubt his present day fans - All three of them - will point out his " genius " by saying how the audience at the concert shown react with hysterical euphoria , but people reacted exactly the same way when attending Hitler`s Nuremberg rallies in the 1930s so " genius " isn`t always an admirable thing
But after the ego trip things start to get really disturbing . A lot of people have discussed subconcious subtext in Victor Salva films and we see a similar thing in MOONWALKER . I don`t know what people thought of it on its original release in 1988 but watching a plot in 2003 that involves MJ surrounding himself with young children left me disgusted . Even more disgusting is a subplot where Joe Pesci`s Mr Big wants to get the world`s children hooked on addictive drugs ! If you think that`s offensive wait till you see the scene where Mr Big assaults a young child and holds her down while preparing to inject her with hard drugs . Yeah that`s right a " family film " which sees little children being assualted , almost being injected with drugs and I haven`t even mentioned the scary scenes with big hairy tarantulas - What the hell were the producers thinking of ?
The first half of this crap is a Jackson ego trip that made me want to vomit while the second half freaked me out . If there`s any parents reading this I beg you not to let your children watch this because it gave even me nightmares