Captain EO (1986)

Just perfect...

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Some of the reviews here come off strangely, because to review this film in the same context you would review a movie or a short film is to review it outside of the context for which it was created. Because it wasn't made to be a Feature length or even a short film, it was made to be a ride at an amusement park.Someone riding a roller-coaster is better served enjoying the twists and turns of the ride than wondering why the ride turned left THEN right, a ride is really just a combination of things that thrill.And it does thrill, it's a 17 minute tour of the trade-mark styles of some of the most popular artists of the time, and because it was pulled so many creative forces it goes in a direction unexpected and for me is a refreshing and fantastic experience.It scratches allot of itches I didn't know I had- It's a long form music video, it's MJ creating a character in the same way David Bowie would, it's an answer to the question 'what would it be like to take the most sought after performer and director and have them work together', and much more.It ages extremely well, I enjoyed it as much on my most recent trip to Disneyland as I did as a kid before it's initial closing. I love the strange 'analog future' setting that is Lucas's trademark, the outlandish music video story and dancing of Michael Jackson, it has the family friendly cutesy hand of Disney in it and the directing of Coppola.It is so, so much fun when viewed in the proper context. I'm not saying that we shouldn't analyze the parts of this story, but if you frame it in the right context, it is a masterpiece.

I never went to Disneyland when they had the Captain EO ride, so I have no nostalgia for this. Matter of fact I never looked up the short film to watch on youtube even because of the names of Coppola and Lucas attached. Only out of curiosity following Michael Jackson's death did I pop it on. Boy howdy - this is one of the biggest, most colossal "WTF" things you'll see in your lifetime. That is, if you don't have fond memories of it, which seems strange to me. Some may have seen this as kids and loved it for the spectacle, of Jackson with a bunch of cuddly and weird alien creatures and then a big musical number that kicks the ass off of an evil alien-metal queen. But seeing it without the nostalgia, it is just... a mess. It's a bunch of fantasy images sprawled with Jackson's ego sprouting up in one of those "Oh-my-GOD-that-is-so-80's" songs and videos. Oh sure, the visual FX from Lucasfilm are impressive, for its time, and the song isn't the worst Jakcson put out. But damn it all if one can't figure out why Coppola chose to direct it (well, money I guess, didn't have enough colossal budget pictures to tackle), or even Lucas produced it. There's moments where you'll laugh out loud, scratch your head in disbelief, and groan at, yes, the boredom. Or, if you're nostalgic for it, you may forgive it on a viewing so many years after it was released and then pulled out of the Disneyland lineup. You have to watch it just out of curiosity. If you watch it repeatedly then, um, you're a bigger fan than I'll ever be. Again, wow.

This entire 17-minute film was one of the most brilliant shorts for the great Michael Jackson! I mean, first of all the character designs are reminiscent to George Lucas' "Star Wars" and the music is mesmerizing. Michael traveling into outer space and then crashing onto a planet where everything is dreary and boring. It's hard to imagine that this premiered at every Disney theme park during the late 1980s to the mid-1990s! Oh, man! I'm still EXTREMELY excitable just thinking about it! I can never get enough! Sure, the year was 1986 and a bit outdated, but I can never forget what Michael has done throughout his career in music. After all, the 1980s was MY birth decade, and I grew up listening to his music throughout the years. I am NOT at all disappointed with this film, neither do I hate Michael Jackson! He is really awe-inspiring! Anyway, I give this film a perfect score!When the grand re-opening of this attraction happened at Disneyland in February 2010, it was like a dream come true! The tribute was worth it and nostalgic! The moment I arrived in line, the queue and auditorium were packed to full capacity (in which compared to "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience," there weren't as many)! It was obvious the people were die-hard Micahel fans and I won't deny that I am one myself!

Captain Eo (1986) was a 3-D movie that starred Michael Jackson. It was a feature attraction at Disneyland back in the 80's. I saw it and was disappointed, even at my young age. Dude they promised me a movie and I'll I got was some singing, dancing and over acting. They burned a ton of money on this "movie". What I would like to know is what did they spend it on. For one thing it wasn't on acting lessons. I can tell you that for sure.I don't think we'll ever see this movie again. They should put it in an 80's time capsule or stow it on Voyager 3 so some aliens can get wigged out on it as well. Slightly recommended.Cx