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Moonwalker

Moonwalker - also the title of a Michael Jackson autobiography - seems unsure of what it was supposed to be. At the center of the pic is the Smooth Criminal segment, a musical/dramatic piece full of dancing, schmaltzy kids, sci-fi effects and blazing machine guns [directed by Colin Chilvers, based on a story by Jackson]. Around it are really just numerous Jackson music videos with little or no linkage. Although quite enjoyable the whole affair does not make for a structured or professional movie.

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Michael Jackson Sean Lennon Kellie Parker Brandon Adams Joe Pesci

Moonwalker – also the title of a Michael Jackson autobiography – seems unsure of what it was supposed to be. At the center of the pic is the Smooth Criminal segment, a musical/dramatic piece full of dancing, schmaltzy kids, sci-fi effects and blazing machine guns [directed by Colin Chilvers, based on a story by Jackson]. Around it are really just numerous Jackson music videos with little or no linkage. Although quite enjoyable the whole affair does not make for a structured or professional movie.

Pic opens with a hi-tech concert footage of Man in the Mirror and then quickly switches to a rather indulgent retrospective of Michael Jackson’s career featuring clips of old songs, shows and videos, this time featuring eight to ten-year-old children dancing and miming the song, with Brandon Ames playing the Jackson part.

Next segment is Speed Demon with Jackson disguised as a rabbit chased by fans. Next up is Leave me Alone, the most fascinating section, featuring comments about Jackson from the tabloids accompanied by expert animation by Jim Blashfield. Smooth Criminal blends into a live performance of Jackson singing the Beatles’ song ‘Come Together’.

Moonwalker

Production: Lorimar. Director Colin Chivers, Jerry Kramer, Will Vinton, Jim Blashfield; Producer Dennis Jones, Jerry Kramer; Screenplay David Newman; Camera John Hora, Frederick Elmes, Crescenzo Notarille; Editor David E. Blewitt; Music Bruce Broughton; Art Director Michael Ploog, Bryan Jones, John Walker

Crew: (Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1988. Running time: 93 MIN.

With: Michael Jackson Sean Lennon Kellie Parker Brandon Adams Joe Pesci

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