Overrated

Lack of good storyline.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Michael Jackson's Ghosts follows traveling maestro (played by Michael Jackson), who settles in an old haunted mansion on the outskirts of a small ordinary town. After one of the young children tells an adult of the tricks that the maestro has been playing, many people in the small town mob together to confront him, lead by a devious mayor. The mayor of the small town (also played by Michael) threatens him to leave and in exchange, the maestro decides to make this encounter a game, whoever gets scared first must leave. The maestro then summons the various ghosts that live in the mansion and puts on an elaborate show to scare the mayor away. The entire video lasts about 30-40 minutes and is one of the most spectacular short films I have ever seen. With fantastic choreography and music, awesome special effects, a unique and original concept, and great performances by the entire cast (most notably Michael, who truly shines as he plays multiple roles, all of which are very different from each other) this short film is a chilling yet fascinating viewing experience. I personally find it to be one of Michael's most overlooked short films (music videos). 10/10One question: "Are you scared yet?"

Those who says it's a re-cycled Thriller obviously didn't understand much of this film. Which is a shame because by some of the hateful comments it's exactly them who have something to learn from this message. I consider this film a masterpiece and unlike Thriller it's not just an entertaining horror story. It's a lesson about how we, as a society tend to treat people who are different. We lynch them, want to drive them away, want to ostracize them. We hate them. And that all just because they are is different. In real life Michael Jackson was at the receiving end of this kind of hatred (as demonstrated even in some comments here), so he knows exactly what he is talking about. It's also important to listen to his lyrics. The song "Is it Scary" says it all about how we project OUR OWN dark thoughts onto others and how we should be careful because the evil we assume in others might actually come from our own mind! Masquerade the heart Is the height of haunting souls Just not what you seek of me Can the heart reveal the proof Like a mirror reveals the truth See the evil one is youI also have to say the acting on Michael Jackson's part in this short film is fantastic! He doesn't only play the protagonist, the Maestro, but also the Mayor whose character was probably inspired by Tom Sneddon (the bigoted, judgmental, hateful right winger). Not to mention the crazy and unique dance routines where MJ never disappoints.When this piece came out the media (especially in the US) already decided that no matter what MJ does they will trash it. From some of the criticism directed at this film it is painfully obvious that they didn't even intend to give it (and MJ in general) a chance. Criticism was often directed not at the art piece itself but at Jackson's looks or tabloid gossip. Is that serious criticism of art? But ironically exactly this phenomenon is what proves Jackson's point that he presents in this film! It seems like the people who should look into Jackson's mirror try to avoid this mirror he holds up in front of them. He certainly hit a nerve!So the film remains very, very underrated. I don't think it will stay this way for ever. The film is too good and too profound for that. Perhaps the society which is criticized in it has to pass before a new generation comes along and will analyze Jackson's art with an open mind, without the decades long media brainwash influencing them.

I first saw "Ghosts" while staying up late one night, terminally bored and channel surfing during October of 2001. Then I stumbled upon what at first glance seemed to be an old horror movie-- I was about fifteen seconds into Michael Jackson's Ghosts. I sat transfixed for a little over a half hour, and marveled at what a lovely little gem it was.Almost eight years later, and just moments after the announcement of Michael's death, I hunted down a copy of this film on DVD.Seeing it now-- after M.J.'s passing-- I still love it, however it gives me the creeps in a different way.First off, the DVD copy I have was released by "Kingdom Entertainment"-- whether this was Jacko's own company is hearsay, but it certainly would explain how the film was produced. Jackson also brought on board Stan Winston (director) and Stephen King (co-idea with Jackson, as well as screenplay).For thirty-eight minutes, we see Michael Jackson redo "Thriller" (albeit with ghosts instead of zombies), tell his critics to f*ck off, and prove to the world that he still loves children.Jackson's dancing is as usual superb, and the SFX are state of the art; sadly his songs are so-so, and his acting as The Maestro is truly horrifying-- matched only by the extras hired to play the townspeople and their children, accompanying the Mayor be part of the mob to oust "The Maestro" from town (ala "Frankenstein").It was simply delicious to see M.J. as the fat old white Mayor calling "The Maestro" (Jackson) a "freak." Also wonderful is how hard The Maestro tries (but fails) to be such a bad-ass, and scare the Mayor from his mansion--and by films end he does, of course.The part that chills--then and now--is after the Mayor has left a Mayor-sized hole in one of The Maestro's stain-glassed windows while exiting the mansion. The Maestro asks the families "Did I scare ya?," the townsfolk kiss-up by blathering on about how "frightened" they were. When this appeases The Maestro, he then asks "Did we have a good time here?" There is a pause, followed by an irritated "HELLO!" from The Maestro, then more peals of nervous butt-kissing a moment later.Also unnerving is how it now seems a bit like The Crow: Jackson plays many roles in this film, namely a dancing skeleton entertaining his "audience" from beyond the grave; and Lee playing The Crow, sent to avenge two heinous murders from beyond the grave. Now that both are dead, they still entertain us from the hereafter playing characters from the great beyond.

This video serves as a reminder that the only thing that has changed about Michael Jackson is the way we look at him. The genius is still there and has grown 10,000 times since thriller. If you put this movie up against thriller it makes thriller pale in comparison musically, special effects wise, basically in every way, it's just that most people are too stupid to see it because like little kids, they are too caught up in the way he looks (which is just fine in this movie btw).The dancing is jaw dropping! The music is excellent! Makes you want to get up and dance! The plot is funny and shows Michael Jackson's sense of humor about the way he knows people think about him.EXCELLENT MOVIE! Do yourself a favor and stop believing all the crap you hear and missing out on jaw dropping perfection which is everything he puts out!In my opinion my top 10 favorite pieces of work by him are:1) The 'Scream' Video (over 7 Million Dollars and you see every dime) 2) The 'Ghosts' Video / Movie 3) The 'Earth Song' Video (if it doesn't move you emotionally you're not human) 4) The 'HIStory' album (easily his best work for someone mentally over the age of 12) 5) The 'Dangerous' album (every song is perfection) 6) The 'You Rock My World' video (Chris Tucker, Malron Brando, Michael Madsen & Michael Jackson how do you not have a great video?) 7) The 'Invincible' album (10 million records sold & counting, great piece of work, tuned to perfect pop precision) 8) The 'Black or White' song / video (They are both excellent!!) 9) The 'Stranger in Moscow' song /video (I mean that's where you see how much of a genius he still is) 10) The 'Blood on The Dance Floor' album (the first five tracks really show how amazing he is as a writer, it awesome) *** Thriller goes without saying, but he really has done some of his best work since then.***