Moonwalker
A Movie Like No Other
Overview
Moonwalker is a 1988 American experimental anthology musical film starring Michael Jackson. Rather than featuring one continuous narrative, the film expresses the influence of fandom and innocence through a collection of short films about Jackson, some of which are long-form music videos from Jackson's 1987 album Bad. The film is named after his famous dance, "the moonwalk", which he originally learned as "the backslide" but perfected the dance into something no one had seen before. The movie's introduction is a type of music video for Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" but is not the official video for the song. The film then expresses a montage of Michael's career, which leads into a parody of his Bad video titled "Badder", followed by sections "Speed Demon" and "Leave Me Alone". What follows is the biggest section where Michael plays a hero with magical powers and saves three children from Mr. Big. This section is "Smooth Criminal" which leads into a performance of "Come Together".
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Moonwalker was released during a significant period in Michael Jackson's career, following his successful 'Bad' album and subsequent world tour. The film serves as a celebration of his music and persona, which had a profound impact on popular culture.
- The iconic music videos of Michael Jackson are a major draw, showcasing his groundbreaking dance moves and innovative music.
- Moonwalker offers an unique blend of live-action sequences with animation, creating a surreal and visually appealing experience.
- Fans of Michael Jackson's music will appreciate the soundtrack, featuring hits like 'Billie Jean', 'Beat It', and 'Black or White'.
- The movie is also noteworthy for its impressive special effects that were considered revolutionary at the time.
Fun Facts
- In the movie, MJ's character has the ability to transform into a werewolf, an allusion to Jackson's real-life nickname 'The King of Pop'.
- The animated sequence 'Smooth Criminal' features groundbreaking visual effects like a 45-degree forward lean that Jackson himself was able to perform live during concerts.
- One of the music videos in Moonwalker, 'Leave Me Alone', satirizes media harassment towards Michael Jackson by depicting him as a prisoner pursued by paparazzi.