Michael Jackson Movies

Legendary musical superstar Michael Jackson takes the stage one last time in this theatrical concert film compiled from over 100 hours of rehearsal footage for the 50 shows he had been scheduled to perform at London's O2 arena at the time of his death. Take a trip behind the scenes to see the mastermind behind such classic pop hits as "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" prepare for the concert that would have crowned his entire career. Produced in collaboration with the Estate of Michael Jackson, the film details the elaborate preparations that took place for two months beginning in April of 2009. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Among the most extraordinary performers of the 20th century, Michael Jackson began making hit records with the Jackson 5 when he was only nine years old. Fourteen years after he first hit the charts, Jackson rewrote the rules of pop music with Thriller, a dazzling blend of pop, rock, and R&B that became the most successful album of all time. Michael Jackson: The One is a made-for-television documentary which looks back at some of the high points of Jackson's solo career, as well as emphasizing the positive messages Jackson has tried to share with his fans. Clips include Jackson's legendary rendition of "Billie Jean" from the Motown 25th Anniversary Special, "The Way You Make Me Feel" performed on the Grammy Awards telecast, and footage from American Bandstand of Michael singing the theme from Ben. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Otherworldly villains are on the loose again, and it's up to Earth's interstellar police force to bring them to justice in this sequel to the sci-fi comedy blockbuster Men in Black. Agent Jay (Will Smith) has become a high-ranking member of the Men in Black, the secret government task force designed to deal with unruly visitors from other worlds, while his former cohort, Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones), had his memory wiped clean and now lives a simple but contented life as a mailman. However, an especially nasty alien threat has reared its not-so-ugly head; Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle) is a shape-shifting Kylothian alien who is in pursuit of another escaped visitor who holds the key to powers that would allow her to destroy the world. Making Serleena all the more dangerous is the fact she's taken on the appearance of a lingerie model, making her irresistible to most men. When the rampaging Serleena takes control of the MIB offices, Jay is forced to turn to the only man who can help him save the world -- the former Agent Kay. After restoring Kay's memory, the two remaining Men in Black set out to conquer Serleena with a motley band of friendly aliens, including a handful of worm creatures and a talking dog named Frank (voice of Tim Blaney). Jay, meanwhile, has his head turned by Laura (Rosario Dawson), an attractive waitress who was an unwitting witness to an alien attack. Men in Black 2 also features Rip Torn, Tony Shalhoub, David Cross, Patrick Warburton, and Johnny Knoxville. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This short film is actually a long-form music video, produced to promote Michael Jackson's 1997 album Blood on the Dance Floor, and it features two songs from that release. The obese and overbearing mayor of a small town, like most of his constituents, lives in fear of the "ghosts" that inhabit a haunted house near the city limits. One day, the mayor and an angry mob storm the house to demand that the "Maestro" and his ghouls who live in the mansion leave the village. However, once they get to know the Maestro, they discover that he's not such a bad guy after all. Most of the principle characters (including the mayor and the Maestro) are played by Michael Jackson, thanks to the make-up and special effects wizardry of Stan Winston, who served as director for the project. Stephen King co-wrote the story. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This video series profiles success stories of rock and roll artists who have risen from obscurity to popular acclaim. This segment features the work of such pop artists as Madonna, Michael Jackson, N.W.A., and Run-DMC. There is a look at the phenomenal career of Madonna. Her business savy and shrewd assessment of America's sexual mores have made her fabulously wealthy. Poking fun at the vestiges of Puritanic culture in America by singing suggestive lyrics and wearing outlandishly provocative clothes, she has won the admiration of some, the ire of others. Her iconoclastic attitude towards sexual repression has turned her into an icon herself. Michael Jackson, too, is portrayed in the film as a visionary, as well as a great entertainer. His androgynous appearance and forays into the outer limits of plastic surgery tell volumes about American culture and its future. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional documentary biography methods, the film is an amazing patchwork of personal insights featuring a constellation of music stars including his long-time friend Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Flavor Flav, as well as politicians, filmmakers and other important people. Some of the most moving scenes involve Jones returning to his childhood home in Chicago and recounting honest and painful memories from his childhood. Jones does not shy from discussing everything -- from his mother's mental illness, to his marital problems, to his serious health conditions. He also looks frankly at his career. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Even non-fans of Michael Jackson will be caught up in the exuberance and virtuosity of Moonwalker. This 84-minute music video casts The Gloved One as host of a futuristic TV special. Highlights include an extended Claymation sequence and a 3-D vignette put together by the Disney Company. The most endearing aspect of Moonwalker is Jackson's willingness to poke fun at his own tabloid-headline image. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Many critics feel that most megabudget films seem designed as a potential theme-park ride first and an actual motion-picture second; Captain Eo, however, was designed as a Disney theme-park attraction from the very beginning. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Michael Jackson, the 17-minute short ran for over 10 years in Disneyland's Magic Eye Theatre, finally closing in April of 1997. (It has also appeared at Disneyworld and other Disney theme parks). The plot follows a motley crew of space travelers -- led by Jackson as Captain Eo -- who are captured by the oppressive leaders of a remote planet and sentenced to a century of torture. Captain Eo responds with a demonstration of the power of rock music, staging an impromptu concert that revitalizes the barren planet and transforms the evil aliens into beautiful, peace-loving humanoids. The simplistic plot, designed for an audience made up primarily of children, is purposefully secondary to Jackson's musical performances and the visual effects, which are presented in 70 millimeter 3-D. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide