Thriller 40

As "Thriller 40" (2023 release; 88 min) opens, talking heads are gushing over the album, and we are reminded along that Thriller was, still is, and always will be the best selling album of all time. We then go back in time to the Jackson 5. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is directed by writer-musician-director Nelson George (who in fact played on the Thriller album). Here he celebrates one of the best and most iconic albums of all time, with Michael Jackson, then 24-25, at the peak of his creative forces. The talking heads include people like Usher, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, etc. The documentary really pays off when we get to the actual dissecting of the album tracks and the videos. Watch how current acts like K-Pop's BTS liberally "borrow" many moves introduced by MJ. And last, but not certainly least, there is "Thriller, the short film". Bottom line: I rarely play "thriller" anymore (because all of it has been played to death), but watching this documentary gave me a new appreciation for this, one of the greatest achievements in the history of pop music, and frankly all music, period. Please note that of course "Thriller" the album was released in late 1982, but "Thriller" the short movie was released in late 2983.

"Thriller 40" was released in limited theaters as a one-off on December 2, 2023. It started streaming on Showtime (now part of Paramount+) in late December. I just caught up with it the other night. If you are a fan of Michael Jackson or, say, of the just released "The Greatest Bight In Pop" documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

This is one of the best MJ Documentaries of all time, gives us a taste of how Michael Jackson's mindset was set towards success even after several challenges, as he always will be considered the World's King of Pop for all time. I hope there is another part or documentary continuation as that would be great to see more rare archival footage of mastered qualities and people that have worked with Michael to explain how MJ was as a musician. I would love to see more old live performance footage, more rare Behind-the-scenes clips, actions, dancing and close-up conversations. Michael has recorded in more depth and length in future Michael Jackson Documentaries.

Looove this documentary so much.. firstly the amazing and beautiful never before seen interviews and footage of Michael as he creates the biggest selling album of all time is worth watching this documentary...from stunning footage of the victory tour to Michael recording the girl is mine with Paul McCartney we final get a glimpsed into the making of the greatest selling album .. a must watch for everyone The only negative is they Should of just had more footage of Michael instead of people talking about him.. beautifully showed the magic of Michael and why he is so loved !!!.. We love u more Michael...

A very good documentary that I wished was even longer. Michael Jackson was a genius and still this day, the Thriller album still remains the greatest and most iconic album ever.

One of the things I loved about the documentary were the rare clips that included the making of the videos and the ones from the Victory Tour in great quality. I hope his estate releases them for Michael Jackson fans and the rest of the public to see in general.

The current generation of artists and fans also need to watch this documentary to see how iconic the Thriller era was and how legendary Michael Jackson was and is still is as an artist. It was well done.

I have been looking forward to this for years after the excellent Bad 25.

Unfortunately it didn't deliver.

Way too much focus on the opinions of newer folks who weren't there. Instead of Misty Copeland why not interview Jeffrey Daniel or the NY Undercover guy who was in Beat It? First hand opinions by people who were there.

No historical interview footage of Rod Temperton or Bruce Swedien yet tons of Usher and Will I Am giving the exact same interviews they have all over youtube a thousand times. These parts pull down the good elements of this film as they look and feel like filler material. Yes these are great artists who were influenced by Thriller but not directly relevant to the subject at hand as they were probably children back then so all they can contribute are opinions.

I was really hoping for the definitive story of this incredible album by the people who created it but it feels like an homage created for YouTube.

Bad25 in contrast did a fantastic job of keeping the story very focused on the actual creation of the record by the people who were there.

Good to see Greg Phillinganes and a few others but this feels very incomplete with some glaring omissions. Yes some of the main players are sadly deceased but there is a ton of historical interview footage by people who were there that could have made a much more cohesive and definitive telling of the story.

Unfortunately I felt like this didn't really tell the full story which an album as genre defining as this still deserves.