Michael Jackson: Bad

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

In the wake of Thriller, Bad is a bit of a disappointment. I can see the logic, getting someone even more acclaimed as a filmmaker than John Landis - here, getting Martin Scorsese - to direct might've seemed like the right kind of escalation.

But the premise here isn't as strong. The song also isn't as strong as Thriller (neither's among Jackson's very best tracks, but Thriller is better, and fits that music video like a glove). And Scorsese gives things some personality, but wouldn't Francis Ford Coppola be a better fit, given there's something of an Outsiders or Rumble Fish vibe to what happens in the Bad video?

As far as Scorsese's involvement goes, it did lead to a fantastic Last Temptation of Christ gag, where there's a poster that reads "WANTED FOR SACRILEGE - BAD" with mugshots of Scorsese on it. That was funny.

I also remember finding the pre-dancing stuff in the Bad video boring as a kid, and it's also not particularly great as an adult, besides the fun that comes from spotting a young Wesley Snipes show up.

So, as a Scorsese short film, Bad is solid. As a Michael Jackson music video, once the music/dancing starts, it's pretty good. But it is a little odd overall, and not one I love... but that might also be my feelings on the song shining through. Methinks the Michael doth boast about being bad too much (or is that the joke of the song? Maybe I'm the dense one).

The actual music video merits 10 stars. All the stuff that comes before and after the actual video merits no more than 4 stars. I don't remember seeing this (unnecessarily) long version when the Bad album was initially released. The scenes which come before the video actually starts are almost completely disposable. These scenes do, however, seem to give some background as to why Jackson proclaims: "I'm bad!" Jackson has an obvious conflict as to where he "fits in." With his white friends or his black friends? Are any of them really his friends? Overall, the video seems to confirm some negative stereotypes. Do we blame Scorsese or Jackson for this? Ultimately, the song is everything. All the other stuff didn't need to be there. Curiously, Jackson's hair is noticeably shorter in the introductory scenes, compared to the actual video.

This music video is honestly one of the best of Michael Jackson. He portrays a high school kid coming home from a high class, preppy school only to hang out with his ghetto friends. As the group gets back into their old ways, Michael refuses to continue with them. His opinions have changed since they last hung out and doesn't want to be the delinquent that he apparently was before hand.

After his friends give him one more chance to show that he still is BAD, Michael ditches the chance and tells his friends that they're nothing and not bad either. He goes into a lengthy dance number to show to them that he is BAD too, but just not in the way that they want him to be.

The direction and quality of film is excellent. With it's WIZARD OF OZ type feel, by having the film start off in Black and White and then at the point of the song's entrance, turning to color, only to go back to Black and White after the song's finished.

Once again, this is one of MJ's better MUSIC VIDEOS and is a must see for fans of both MJ and Scoresce.

BAD is an incredible music video by the King of pop ! And wow he looks gorgeous in it too !!! Michael Jackson in my opinion is also the King of music video's too !! I mean...he invented them in the first place !