The midnight showing of Michael Jackson's "Ghosts" resembled more
a rock concert than a festival screening. Cries alternated between
"We Love You, Michael!" from sobbing teenage girls as they waved
handmade banners echoing said declaration, and "Will you stop
pushing!" from sobbing Cannes socialites in evening gowns as they
were being smashed up against metal barriers in a near-Altamont-like
state. This seemingly Richard Lester-inspired chaos that greeted the
King of Pop outside the Palais continued inside the screening as
well, with sporadic outbursts of shrieking and a constant rhythm of
flash bulbs.
And all this excitement merely for a music video? In fact, that's
just what "Ghosts" was -- a long-form music video featuring two
Jackson songs, sort of a "Thriller" for the new generation. But few
in the near-capacity crowd were disappointed as "Ghosts" delivered
what most had expected -- 30 minutes of sharp choreography, slick
special effects and, of course, Jackson music.
The story, penned by author Stephen King with Jackson, exists solely
as a foundation for the dazzle, which is sufficient in this case. An
embittered small town mayor -- actually Jackson wonderfully made up
to look like an obese white man thanks to director Stan Winston's
costume studio -- leads a group of frightened citizens to a
notoriously haunted house in hopes of exorcising its demons and
ghosts. They come face-to-face with the "maestro" ghost, again played
by Jackson, who confronts the mayor in a lengthy song-and-dance
routine with his ghoulish colleagues.
Apparently not too complex, but the film's dialogue does allow
Jackson to display some unusual self-depreciating humor in
confronting his own personal demons. The mayor gives the Jackson
ghost a verbal undressing, telling him "You're weird... you're
strange... you're scaring these kids."
Enough about the hidden ghosts, Michael, now how 'bout those closeted
skeletons?
Copyright 1994-2008 Film Scouts LLC
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