Moonwalker (1988)

Anthology movie by, and starring, Michael Jackson in his prime, combining a number of music videos from his bestselling "Bad" album with a fantasy tale of Michael's confrontation with a ruthless drug dealer known as Mr. Big.

Directors:

Jerry Kramer, Colin Chilvers

Writers:

Michael Jackson (story), David Newman (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Jackson, Joe Pesci, Sean Lennon

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Jackson	...	Michael
Joe Pesci	...	Mr. Big
Sean Lennon	...	Sean
Kelley Parker	...	Katie (as Kellie Parker)
Brandon Quintin Adams	...	Zeke (as Brandon Adams)
Jeff Adkins	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal") (as Jeffry Adkins)
Patrick Alan	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Brenda Barrett	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Scott Benson	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Bonnie Beutler	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Lindell Blake	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Kim Blank	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Shelby Brown	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Geron Canidate	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
Cindera Che	...	Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

children | parody | car | dancing | cult film | 

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Taglines:

One giant leap into the future of home video. (VHS release poster)

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Fantasy | Music | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 June 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Michael Jackson: Moonwalker

Filming Locations:

Harbor Star Stage, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MJJ Productions, Ultimate Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It is reported the spontaneous gun shots by Jackson's character after "Smooth Criminal" was improvised by Jackson himself, who used a functional tommy gun and fired blanks to surprise everyone on and off set.

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Goofs

When Michael is taking off the rabbit costume, he pulls down the pants and he has no gloves on, although the next thing you see him take off are the gloves. When he takes off the mask, the gloves are back on. He also has no tape around his fingers when he's taking off the costume, but he has it on when he has the dance-off with Spike (the rabbit, come-to-life), although it is on his fingers when he puts the mask with the other clothes.

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Quotes

Michael: Do it and your dead.

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Alternate Versions

Speed Demon on The Michael Jackson Visions box-set has the live action and animated segments re-composited creating a few new shots, most notably when the mountain turns into spike at the very end, in Moonwalker it's a close up, but in the Visions version it's a wide shot with Michael in frame watching the mountain.

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Moonwalker (2009)

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Soundtracks

Can You Feel It
Written by Michael Jackson and Jackie Jackson
Performed by The Jacksons

User Reviews

Not a "film" but a collection of musical moments....

If you are a Michael Jackson fan, this is a MUST!!

But for those of you who are not big fans, (LIKE THE REVIEWER BEFORE ME) you will not appreciate it.

It has no real story, except for the main chunk in the middle which has a bit of a plot, but it's pretty ridiculous.

I'll use this example: When you watch an old school Kung-Fu movie from Asia....do you watch it for the acting, style and plot??

Normally NO!! You watch it for the amazing un-CGI Martial Arts.

The same applies to this film....you're watching it for the magic that is Michael Jackson. From the opening (and breathtaking) Man in the Mirror, to the retrospective of his work from the J5 to 1987, to the complete reenactment of the "Bad" video with LITTLE KIDS!!

The story in the center is pretty contrived and is basically there to tell the story around the Smooth Criminal video. I believe that Michael just used this opportunity to play and have fun with different types of special effects (CGI, claymation, etc...)

Like I said, If you love Michael as I do..GET IT!!