Morphine - Ghosts

"Ghosts" is a long-form music video featuring two Michael Jackson songs, sort of a "Thriller" for the new generation. But few will be disappointed as "Ghosts" deliveres what most had expected -- 40 minutes of sharp choreography, slick special effects and, of course, Michael Jackson music. The story, penned by author Stephen King with Michael, exists in part for the dazzle of this video, 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 teriffic version of "2Bad they perform a great 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."

The dancing in this movie is nothing short of spectacular. In this extended version Michael performs "Ghosts" as the skeleton and "Is It Scary" as the mayor, all the special effcts are simply out of this world. I like this movie for other reasons too. Michael continually asks us to question our selves he asks us to look deep within ourselves and ask if what we are doing is right. This movies is no different, it has a double meaning beyond the flash special effects and great dance moves. It question and pleads with us not to brand Michael a freak and a wierdo. Michael shows with "Ghosts" that he feels this pain. It confronts all the acusations that have been pushed at Michael for many years. Is Michael safe alone with children? Is he too wierd? Does he look like a freak? Of course not, however I wish I could get everyone else to believe me. Michael takes all these questions and asks you to look deep within ourselves. We should be ashaimed of the things people have said and made up, not just about Michael but at performers and people in general. Michael is hurt and it shows, why must the press pick people up and the pull them down. Michael is not a freak, he is a genius and we should accept it.

The Single "Ghosts"