Ghosts (1997)

With the recent death of the King of Pop, the recent release of a previously unreleased track entitled This Is It, and the upcoming film of the last concert, and last days of Michael Jackson, I'd be shocked if Jackson's answer to Thriller, the 38 minute music video / short Ghosts, doesn't see some television screen time this Halloween.

If anyone doubts the creative genius of Michael Jackson, watch this short film. Ghosts is but another example of the lengths Jackson went to promote his music and entertain his fans. Bringing together special makeup effects artist Stan Winston and horror writer Stephen King, Jackson has created a musical horror that tops Thriller in terms of style, story and special effects. While Thriller will forever be looked at the probably the greatest music video of all time, Ghosts is a worthy followup that only Michael Jackson himself could reproduce.

What I like most about Ghosts is Jackson shows some decent acting chops, especially as the Mayor of the small town whose leading the mob bent on running Jackson out of town because he's such a "freak". Yes, believe it or not that is Michael Jackson! I remember the first time seeing this video back when it was first televised and it caught me by surprise as well.

Like every Michael Jackson short film Ghosts always goes a little overboard with the Michael Jackson retribution for the years of being called a freak in real life, but by now everyone should realize this is all part of the Michael Jackson persona. Personally while I'm quite sure Jackson had a lot of personal / mental issues, he also in some twisted way enjoyed being the butt of jokes or strange rumors. I heard on one program that back in the 1980's Jackson actually provided the press with some of the bizarre rumors such as sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber (he even provided the infamous picture) and wanting to buy the elephant man's bones. Jackson craved attention and throwing these strange rumors out there got him that, but I doubt he realized at the time what he was ultimately starting, as rumors began to transform into more personal insults, I think it got to a point it wasn't "fun" for him anymore.

Overall, Ghosts is worth the watch, especially this Halloween. With a couple great songs (2 Bad & Ghosts), some always awesome Michael Jackson dance moves and a various array of special effects, makeup and more Ghosts is a veritable no-brainer to watch if you loved or even liked Thriller. Personally I enjoy Ghosts over Thriller, it's a little more fun, I like the songs better and the dancing tops Thriller, plus Ghosts never seems to get much attention in the array of Michael Jackson videos which is a shame because it really is some pretty good work.

9/10