Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
This is the 16-minute music video by the late Michael Jackson for his song "Bad" from almost 30 years ago. Regardless of what I think of Michael Jackson as an artist, his overlong music videos are just a prime example of weak writing and mediocre (at best!) acting. It does not really help that the director here is Martin Scorsese, one of the best out there. Well.. maybe he wasn't yet in the late 80s. Then again he had already "Raging Bull" under his belt at that point and was not far away from making "Goodfellas". The writer here is Richard Price. He also worked with Scorsese shortly before on "The Color of Money" and got his first (and only) Academy award nomination for the film's screenplay. In terms of the cast here, the only other sort-of known actor is Wesley Snipes, but it's really all about Michael, who sings a lot, dances a lot and is just the big star of the show as in all his other music videos. In my opinion, these are basically all style over substance and even if I believe he was a very talented musician, there is nothing really memorable about him as an actor. Not recommended.
Jackson Booth-Millard
When it was announced the "King of Pop" was dead at age 50, a month before he was to start a series of live comeback shows at London's O2 Arena, it was a huge shock to millions of people around the world. He was, and will forever be one of the most talented voices and dancers in the music industry, and he will be missed terribly. I decided to remind myself how wonderful he was by watching this great music video, from director Martin Scorcese. The story for the first five minutes or so sees Darryl (Michael Jackson) ending school, going home in his derelict neighbourhood. His mother isn't there, but his friends, led by Mini Max (a little known Wesley Snipes), and spends an evening with them, but he realises Daryl has changed with attitudes to petty crime. In an attempt to show that he is still "bad", Daryl meets the gang in a subway station, where Mini Max sees him chickens out of robbing a passing old man. The black and white then turns to colour when Daryl is dressed in leather with huge curly hair, singing the iconic song and creating some fantastic moves with his gang along the way. Daryl eventually has his members repeating his chants, until Mini Max grabs him, accepting he is still "bad", saying the words "that's the way it goes down". The film ends with them walking away, returning to black and white, with hoodie wearing Daryl watching them leave. Michael Jackson was number 14 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and he was number 6 on The Ultimate Pop Star, and Wesley Snipes was number 96 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars. Very good!
Kristine
Not everything that Martin can create is a masterpiece. I'm going to be honest, "Bad" was one of my least favorite songs by Michael. I had only ever seen the edited and short version of "Bad". I bought the "History" DVD. Lucky enough they had the longer version. I was pretty excited. I am a big MS fan. And same with MJ. This was just too unbelievable. Michael Jackson telling Wesley Snipes whose bad. And the look... let's just say that the Easter Bunny is a little more ittimidating than Michael is. But I do want to give some props to this video. The editing is very nice. The chorogrophy is amazing. And the story is pretty original for it's time. So, I have a soft spot for this video.8/10
MisterWhiplash
I thought that when Jacko had made a music movie right after Thriller, it might be good. Well, I was partially right. While Michael is no longer a minority in this video, his approach to drama is somewhat questionable. But, thanks to virtuoso director Martin Scorsese, he brings this mini-music movie together (though on TV they will usually just show the music part and will leave out the parts with a young Wesley Snipes) by some good editing and music to his images (Scorsese knows how to bring music and movies together with such things as The Last Waltz and Woodstock). Not inspired, but not a waste of a few minutes on MTV either. A-
AD
