The world is in a state of mourning at the sad news that the legend Michael Jackson has sadly passed away. He was 50 years old. It's my personal hope that he is remembered for his amazing music and top quality showmanship, and yes I did feel he warranted a mention here for one very important reason: Thriller.
Quite simply, despite being a music video, Thriller is one of the best short horror films I have ever been priveleged to have seen. It is one of the formative pieces in defining my love for the genre and it's tropes, images, conventions and sense of fun and occasion. In a way it proves Mr B's point about iconic imagery being powerful, since there is only the barest of plot and so everything you feel (and boy do you feel something) comes from the, frankly outstanding, music, expert direction from horror legend John Landis (An American Werewolf in London) and the performance of the various dancers, other actors (including a top notch vocal performance from bona fide horror legend Vincent Price) and, at the core, Michael Jackson. He acts fantastically as the protective boyfriend, movie star monster, zombie possessed and finally the sly, evil trickster. And all of this is eclipsed still by his dance routine. The pictures are amazing despite being faintly ridiculous (why are zombies dancing? We NEVER question it) and show the coolest depictions of transformation, rising from the grave and being possessed in any media, better than most horror movies. THAT is my recollection of the man, a showman and entertainer who could pull off magic and produce works of art, in any genre.
We at the site wish to express our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family and fans and invite you to enjoy this masterpiece again...
Quite simply, despite being a music video, Thriller is one of the best short horror films I have ever been priveleged to have seen. It is one of the formative pieces in defining my love for the genre and it's tropes, images, conventions and sense of fun and occasion. In a way it proves Mr B's point about iconic imagery being powerful, since there is only the barest of plot and so everything you feel (and boy do you feel something) comes from the, frankly outstanding, music, expert direction from horror legend John Landis (An American Werewolf in London) and the performance of the various dancers, other actors (including a top notch vocal performance from bona fide horror legend Vincent Price) and, at the core, Michael Jackson. He acts fantastically as the protective boyfriend, movie star monster, zombie possessed and finally the sly, evil trickster. And all of this is eclipsed still by his dance routine. The pictures are amazing despite being faintly ridiculous (why are zombies dancing? We NEVER question it) and show the coolest depictions of transformation, rising from the grave and being possessed in any media, better than most horror movies. THAT is my recollection of the man, a showman and entertainer who could pull off magic and produce works of art, in any genre.
We at the site wish to express our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family and fans and invite you to enjoy this masterpiece again...
Video available via youtube.com
Image courtesy of hometownhollywood.com
"All through the night, I'll save you from the terror on the screen..."
Great post MM, love it. Agree with all sentiments. Though I must say, zombie dancing is the coolest thing ever.
ReplyDelete