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Moonwalker

  • 1988
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
19K
YOUR RATING
Michael Jackson, Sean Lennon, Brandon Quintin Adams, and Kelley Parker in Moonwalker (1988)
Trailer for Moonwalker
Play trailer1:37
1 Video
99+ Photos
SuperheroSupernatural FantasyActionCrimeFantasyMusicThriller

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 ruth... Read allAnthology 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.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
    • Colin Chilvers
    • Jerry Kramer
    • Will Vinton
  • Writers
    • Michael Jackson
    • David Newman
  • Stars
    • Michael Jackson
    • Joe Pesci
    • Sean Lennon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Colin Chilvers
      • Jerry Kramer
      • Will Vinton
    • Writers
      • Michael Jackson
      • David Newman
    • Stars
      • Michael Jackson
      • Joe Pesci
      • Sean Lennon
    • 113User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Moonwalker
    Trailer 1:37
    Moonwalker

    Photos118

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    + 113
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Michael Jackson
    Michael Jackson
    • Michael
    Joe Pesci
    Joe Pesci
    • Mr. Big
    Sean Lennon
    Sean Lennon
    • Sean
    Kelley Parker
    Kelley Parker
    • Katie
    • (as Kellie Parker)
    Brandon Quintin Adams
    Brandon Quintin Adams
    • Zeke
    • (as Brandon Adams)
    Jeff Adkins
    • Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
    • (as Jeffry Adkins)
    Patrick Alan
    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
    Cindera Che
    • Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
    Chris Coaley
    • Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
    Gary Coburn
    • Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
    Raphael Douglas
    • Dancer (segment "Smooth Criminal")
    • Directors
      • Colin Chilvers
      • Jerry Kramer
      • Will Vinton
    • Writers
      • Michael Jackson
      • David Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews113

    6.119K
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    Featured reviews

    7LVJeff

    View It For What It Is- A Music Video Collection

    I was quite surprised to read some of the comments on this work, honestly. Some people were looking for a plot??? OK, when this video came out over a decade ago, I watched it for what it was: a collection of music videos. It's not a movie. It doesn't have a plot, nor a central storyline. It's a rather artistic anthology of mostly long-form videos, all of them rather smartly or creatively done. Michael Jackson may be considered a freak these days, but, after all, this was the man who gave us Thriller (considered by many to be the greatest music video of all time) and set trends with Billie Jean and Beat It. With Moonwalker, he and the filmmakers and artists who collaborated with him once again took his music and dance moves to create some vividly entertaining stuff, incorporating claymation, special effects, live performance footage, and even self-parody (the "Badder" sequence). And for those wondering what Joe Pesci was doing there, this video came out just a tad before he became a household name, and was one of his most memorable appearances on film. And, IMHO, I think the Smooth Criminal sequence (the choreographed section) beats anything else Michael Jackson did up to that point!
    daisyduke8000

    A REALLY, REALLY EXCELLENT MOVIE ( but only for MJ fans)

    I love this movie! But of course I am a Michael Jackson fan, so there you go. This film reminded me of the abstract films made by the Beatles in the '60's, only for MJ. It was excellent- the music, Michael, everything was great. Oh, yes, and in response to another persons review of this movie, MICHAEL DOES NOT URINATE DURING THE "COME TOGETHER" NUMBER. I don't know where he came up with this crazy idea, but I personally watched that sequence again, watching specifically for that, and does not do it. So, sir, you should not spread untrue rumors about Michael. Hasn't he been through enough? Sheesh. Anyhow, this is one special, great movie. So if you like Michael, or just want to watch something that may one day become a classic( like "Yellow Submarine" or "Help" for The Beatles), see it. You won't regret it.
    fellowship

    Michael Jackson is the coolest man on the planet!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Some people need to lighten up and not take the film so seriously. Its a fantasy after all. Michaels music is fantastic and it is proven in this film, its well before its time. Moonwalker is one of the most entertaining ones I have ever seen and I would recommend it to anyone looking to watch a film full of light-hearted fun.

    Please note: the title 'Moonwalker' refers to his unique dance, you know, the moonwalk... not actually walking on the moon!
    North Stars Fan

    different, to say the least

    I remember watching this movie back in 1988 and was really amazed at many of the dance sequences and special effects. The best part of the movie is when Michael Jackson is dancing with a rabbit named "Spike" and is given a ticket for dancing in a "no dancing" zone, as Spike mysteriously disappears. There is really no plot to this movie but that doesn't mean that it isn't good because it is. This movie is really the last appearance of Michael Jackson at his peak (before he got all weird that is) He peaked in 1988 and after that I never cared for anything else he did. He just got too weird for my tastes. The music in this movie is probably the best Michael Jackson has ever done. Like another poster pointed out, it was basically a really long music video for the album "Bad" as just about all the songs from the movie appear on that album. But it was really cool though. It's definately worth watching on a rainy day or if you have nothing else to do
    10StevePulaski

    MJ at His Fullest Energy

    Besides from the seeing the new "This Is It" and saying Im a huge Michael Jackson fan, I thought I would prove it and see a movie he actually did back in his time. "Moonwalker" breaks all rules, laws, and scripts in the film making history. It's completed in a phenomenal fashion all leading up to the highlight of the film. A triumph comic-book texture short entitled "Smooth Criminal" which Ill discuss later.

    Besides being subject to jokes and media, we need to remember that back in the 80s everyone was into Michael Jackson. So having a movie on him titled by his dance that only a handful knew, Moonwalker. The film is what you would call, a montage of Jackson clips, so Ill have to do separate paragraphs to sort these out so I don't do block writing entirely. Though I may combine some since some are very short.

    The movie opens with Michael Jackson singing "Main In the Mirror" at a live concert. He is covered in sweat and singing his heart out just to please his fans. Then it cuts to a kaleidoscopic view of MJ's career leading up till 1988. We see early clips of The Jacksons 5. From "ABC" to "Beat It", it's all there.

    Then we get a short clip of "Bad", entitled "Badder". The kids are amazingly talented, doing back flips, front flips, everything while lip syncing key point of the MJ song. It was sort of unnecessary having this on the tape seeing as I didn't want to see kids sing one of my favorite songs. Sure they were lip syncing, but I would like to see my one of my favorite songs sung by the artist. Not pre "Kidz Bop" it up.

    Followed by, my favorite of the film, "Speed Demon" which is MJ being bombarded by his fans who are claymation figures. The scene, is overall colorful and very upbeat. MJ acts natural, as if he has done this before (which he probably has). Overall, this is the best thing on the tape, so far.

    "Leave Me Alone" is a heartfelt crowdpleaser, showing MJ dancing in front of a crowd, announcing to everyone who can hear him to, well, leave him alone. It's a catchy tune that is definitely and underrated portion of the film.

    The next clip, is the main course, and the point of this whole film extravaganza. It is Michael Jackson, playing a superhero trying to stop Mr. Big (Joe Pesci) from drug-dealing crime boss with an army of henchmen. Michael Jackson, at the same time, is protecting Katie, Zeke, and Sean three homeless kids who spy on MJ. After escaping Mr. Big's clutches, MJ goes into the club and begins dancing to "Smooth Criminal" while defeating Big's henchman. Thats all you can say without giving anything away. It is a real standout from the movie and the dance choreography is stunning. Michael is probably the at his most lively stage yet, and not putting himself or dancers into any grueling treatment.

    Then the last two segments are minor, though serve a purpose. "Come Together" isn't the greatest thing to come out of the tape. It is a little long, but still not awful. "Come Together" is a song originally written and sung by The Beatles being sung by Jackson here. In my opinion it should have stayed sung by The Beatles.

    "The Moon is Walking" and the music video of "Smooth Criminal" closes this heartfelt film. My only complaint is that this movie is unsure of what it wants to be. First, it wants to be a documentary, then it wants to be a compilation of music videos and music clips. It jumps around and at points is confused. But for the most part, "Moonwalker" is a sensational movie that is sure too please MJ's fans.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Jackson originally wanted the movie released in theaters in the United States, but budget problems forced him to make it a straight to video release. However, it was released in theaters internationally.
    • Goofs
      While Michael is performing "Come Together" his white shirt is ripped to his chest, then to his pants, then not ripped at all, then ripped to his pants, and so on throughout the whole performance.
    • Quotes

      Young Michael: What is he wearing?

      Agent: A Prince t-shirt and red sneakers.

      Young Michael: *Prince* t-shirt?

    • Alternate versions
      MTV and VH1 have shown this film many times, and although it isn't a long film they have cut it, specifically the "Smooth Criminal" segment (the showpiece of the film): The dance segment in Club 30's is heavily edited, as is the scene where the kids' dog is returned to them by Michael's manager (leaving one plot question unanswered!) The "Come Together" performance is also shorter. The more recent VH1 Rock and Roll Picture Show airings cut the film down even more, most noticably in the Retrospective sequence.
    • Connections
      Edited from Michael Jackson: Speed Demon (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      ABC
      Written by The Corporation

      Performed by The Jackson 5

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Moonwalker?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the European Blu-ray Version and the Uncensored Version?

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 14, 1988 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Badder
    • Filming locations
      • Brownstone Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • MJJ Productions
      • Ultimate Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $22,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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