This article is dedicated to Michael Jackson.


Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (1988)

Directed by: Jerry Kramer, Jim Blashfield, Colin Chilvers

Starring: Michael Jackson (duh), Joe Pesci



Why does this remind me of the poster for the 1979 film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"?


What can you say about Michael Jackson? He was a ruler, nay, a GOD of music. And it was a downer to hear The King of Pop pass away on June 25, 2009. Yes, it's a sad moment to see one of our icons leave the face of the planet.....Sigh....

In order to pay tribute to the singer, I will be looking at the 1988 "film" released straight to video known as "Moonwalker". Now that Jackson is deceased, I'll try to respect him and try to keep the jokes about him being a child abuser to a minimum.


Michael Jackson after seeing "Epic Movie".


WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

No coherent plot, just Michael Jackson in several music videos, from him outrunning clayfigures to him outwitting a maniacal drug lord (Pesci).


WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

Jackson's interest is concentrated solely on the film's look. Apparently, he wanted to make the film incredibly flashy and "neon-y" as possible. He succeeds at this. The film's look kicks ass. About every segment of the film has an innovating style about it, including claymation.

Speaking of claymation, my absolute favorite segment of the film would have to be the "Speed Demon" segment. It's funny, stays true to the original Looney Tunes cartoons, and the clay figures are created by clay master Will Vinton, the same guy who did the Domino's commercials with the Noid and the Tang commercials with the walking and talking lips.

Oh, and the music's great, too.


NOTE:

I am not getting paid to say "clay" repeatedly, so don't have a cow, ya shmucks.


The King of Pop doin' what he does best in the segment "Smooth Criminal".

WHAT'S BAD ABOUT IT?

The plot, or what resembles it. It needed more juice. Perhaps if the whole movie were just seperate videos, they would be more fun to watch.

The first 20 minutes of Michael through the years is kind of boring, too. It's fine and all, but I think I got the point after 5 minutes.



Who's Bad? The kids' acting, that's what's bad!


HE'S STARING IN YOUR SOUL.....



Ummm....what's going on in this scene?

BOTTOM LINE

The film is 100% eye candy, with cool claymation and sweet music by the king himself. But thanks to an incoherent plot and a boring first 20 minutes, the film is only known as a 80 minute music video. Watch "Thriller" instead.


OVERALL SCORE

3/5

In Memory of

Michael Jackson

1958-2009