If you're a Michael Jackson fan and happen to be in the vicinity of Disneyland in California today, be sure to call in sick, drop everything and head to Tomorrowland, because "Captain EO" makes its triumphant return to the rotation at the happiest place on Earth. The film hasn't been shown at the park since 1997, but in honor of Jackson's passing last year, Disney decided to bring back the 3-D movie with enhanced sound.
"Captain EO" made its debut in 1986 and starred Jackson as the titular captain of a spaceship. He and his crew (including "Bad Santa" star Tony Cox as the bumbling elephant-like alien Hooter) are given the task of delivering a package to the evil Witch Queen (played by Oscar winner Anjelica Huston) on her home planet. When they arrive, they are captured and sentence to torture, and only the power of EO's singing and dancing can save them. The film closes with a performance of an early version of "Another Part of Me" (which later appeared on Jackson's 1987 album Bad). It simultaneously opened at Disneyland and at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World, then later had runs at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
When it was first released, "Captain EO" contained some 3-D effects that were absolutely state-of-the-art, though whether or not they hold up in this post-"Avatar" world is anybody's guess. Still, the Francis Ford Coppola-directed, George Lucas-produced film is fun, has great energy and delivers a positive message (and marks Jackson's best film work outside of "Thriller").
What's your favorite Michael Jackson film project? Leave your thoughts in the comments!