I Watched Michael Jackson Movies For Most Of My Life, And This Is What It Was Like Growing Up With Each Of Them

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Reflecting on my personal experiences with the enigmatic figure that was Michael Jackson, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the impact he had on my life and countless others around the world.

As a child of the ’90s, Michael Jackson was a constant presence in my life. Whether it was on MTV or through the headlines, he seemed omnipresent. Although there have been troubling accusations about him, which were explored further in the documentary “Leaving Neverland”, I can’t help but remember those years with a sense of nostalgia. As an adult now, I can reflect on how significant Jackson, the artist, was to me during my formative years.

To this day, I’m still influenced by the incredible artist Mike, not only through his music but also in the films he starred in. His impact on me has been profound, and I eagerly anticipate the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic as it will remind us of the magic he brought to our screens growing up.

The Wiz: I Never Knew How Multi-Multi Talented MJ Could Be

I talked about this recently when I went over six Oz-related movies to see before Wicked, but Michael Jackson is in The Wiz.

For those who’ve never heard of it before, The Wiz is an urban adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

In 1978, the theatrical adaptation featured Diana Ross, Nispey Russell, Ted Ross, Richard Pryor, and indeed, Michael Jackson. It’s worth noting that the “Thriller” artist portrayed the Scarecrow, although I believe he might have been more suited for the role of the Tin Man, as will be discussed in my upcoming entry.

It wasn’t until after I listened to Thriller in full that I watched The Wiz. This would have been approximately 1988 since I was born in 1983. My mom, noticing my obsession with Michael Jackson, asked if I wanted to watch a movie without mentioning he was in it. When he first appeared on screen, heavily made up and surrounded by crows, I distinctly remember squinting and wondering, “Is that Michael?

All he had to do was open his mouth, though, and I then knew. Surprisingly, what impressed me the most was just how wiggly he was. Yes, I knew he was a stellar dancer and singer, but I totally bought into MJ being a scarecrow who couldn’t quite get it together, even when it came to walking, as he had a sort of stumbling gait. It proved to me that this man couldn’t just dance and sing. He could act, as well.

Moonwalker: I Learned Just How Terrifying MJ Could Be

In my previous piece discussing how the film “Moonwalker” left a lasting impression on me as a youngster, I mentioned that it terrified me. To reiterate, watching this movie when I was a child was absolutely petrifying.

In the climax, it was primarily the part where Michael Jackson transformed into an astonishing robot that left an impression on me. That’s why I believe he might have been more suited to play the Tin Man instead of the Scarecrow in The Wiz, as the picture of him as a massive metallic figure stands out vividly in my memory.

In this scene, individuals are attacking him with gunfire, and he retaliates using missiles, reducing them to nothingness. It’s quite bizarre, but revisiting it as an adult, I can’t help but recall the intense fear Jackson instilled in me after watching this film. It isn’t limited to the robot scene alone; even the iconic “Smooth Criminal” segment, where he behaves like a ruthless gangster, brandishing a tommy gun as people screamed, leaves a lasting impression.

At a formative period in my life, I watched this movie, which left an indelible mark on me, reinforcing the image of Jackson as an incredibly tough and impressive figure. Coincidentally, it was also during this time that I was captivated by Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album and the iconic music video featuring him in a subway, dressed in leather.

Initially, his persona seemed harsh and intimidating in films like “Moonwalker,” but as time passed, he revealed a gentler aspect, with songs like “Stranger in Moscow” showcasing this side of him particularly well. However, “Moonwalker” had me convinced that he was the epitome of coolness and strength, even bordering on fearsome.

Captain EO: I Learned Just How Much Cooler MJ Was Than I Ever Imagined

Recently, I compiled a list of my favorite films by Francis Ford Coppola. While classics like the Godfather trilogy and the exceptional war film Apocalypse Now were included, some may find it surprising that Captain EO made the cut as well.

Fun fact: Captain EO is quite impressive! People often perceive it as just another quick Star Wars imitation, but what sets it apart is a fantastic dance sequence by Michael Jackson near the end. Frankly, I had always thought he was pretty awesome, but this performance took it to a whole new level for me.

Here, Jackson wasn’t just dancing for his own pleasure, but also for a global audience. Moreover, he was spearheading a troupe of dancers, all united in their mission to transform the world (They’re here to change the world!).

As a die-hard fan, let me say I was thoroughly impressed when they chose that particular song, “Another Part of Me,” as the closing number. Not only did it slay, but it was also my second-favorite Michael Jackson track, making the whole experience even more exhilarating!

At a young age, I got the chance to watch this movie, and even more fortunately, I caught it in 4D at Disney World before it was shut down for good. Wow, Michael Jackson was simply amazing!

Men In Black II: I Learned Just How Silly MJ Could Be

Many folks seem to believe that either “Men in Black II” or “Men in Black: International” is the weakest film in the series. While the former lacks originality, making it somewhat forgettable, the latter appears rather unremarkable. However, both pale in comparison to the first movie in the franchise.

That is, until Michael Jackson briefly makes an appearance. Frankly, when I initially witnessed his scene in the movie, it left me utterly astonished.

By 2002, when the film was released, Jackson had abandoned his rebellious image that he had cultivated in movies such as “Captain EO” and “Moonwalker”. This was also well after the time of the “Black or White” music video, where Michael Jackson displayed aggressive behavior towards a car, which resembled an intense level in a game like “Final Fight”.

By the early 2000s, unfortunately, Michael Jackson had become more of a joke than a respected figure. But when I watched MIB II, it struck me that maybe he wasn’t taking himself too seriously, and perhaps I shouldn’t either. This revelation was quite liberating for me at the time, as I used to admire him so much when I was younger, even though I still enjoyed his music in the 2000s (I actually found myself enjoying Invincible). It felt like I could let go of some of my lingering attachment to him as an artist.

To be honest, his heartfelt request to play Agent M in the film brought a smile to my face. It turned out that he was capable of much more than I had initially perceived. In fact, he showed a fun, goofy side as well.

This Is It: I Learned To Process MJ’s Death With This Film

A day I’ll always remember is when we learned about Jackson’s passing. My partner (then girlfriend) and I were en route to Boston, and just heard about Farrah Fawcett’s death earlier, which was unfortunate. However, a few hours later, we received the sad news that Michael Jackson had passed away too.

Here’s one way to rephrase the given text:

Initially, when the concert documentary film, “This Is It,” hit the screens back in October 2009, I held off watching it for a while. His untimely demise in June of that year was still heavily on my mind, making it difficult to fully immerse myself into the film so soon.

Although it saddened me upon seeing it, the film actually eased my processing of his death. The movie was enchanting as he radiated so much vitality on screen, giving the impression of an unforgettable concert ahead. Despite his untimely passing, it served as a poignant reminder that art persists, and for me, “This Is It” will forever symbolize that enduring spirit.

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2024-12-01 00:07