Blog entry #2

Da’Norris Searcy
9/28/09
Comm. 450
Blog #2
“Smooth Criminal”
The video Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson appeals to people’s common sense because by this time Michael has already made his mark on society. He was known to be a trendsetter and when Smooth Criminal was released he expressed showed the world a new side. The public had to be excited, because the song is off his new album entitled, “Bad” which was released in the late 1980’s. The video was another of Michael Jackson’s short film videos with a high price budget. The fans were both excited and optimistic, because this song came from the album that following “Thriller”. After the “Thriller” album was released people questioned whether Michael would ever be able to top it.
The video couldn’t have been a surprise to the audience, because they had come to expect Michael Jackson to have huge hits and over the top videos. The theme of the video is set in the 30’s, the time of the great depression when gangsters were at an all time high. By setting the video during this time, he showed his entertainment value, it showed he was still able to think outside the box. Both the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Depression was before his time but he could take a present day issue and relay it with an old feel without loosing its significance. The video showed a since of adventure, because it was like a story that took place while the song was going on. The video had drama in a way, because at one point in the video it seemed as if everybody in the bar was against him, and throughout the video they grew to like him, then by the end they helped him get away and escape. It was also suspenseful and had the audience guessing and wondering what was going to happen next.
The video has been interpreted by many different ethic groups. The video features different races and characters in the video. The video also features entertainment for both genders as well. From a psychoanalysts’ point of view, the video caters to both ego and sexuality. The men are shown gambling and also the pool table part when Michael Jackson catches the Q ball spins around and crushes it, showing how the role of men differed from the women and also impressing them. Michael flirts with the women on the dance floor and expresses some sensuality by having a romantic dance scene. He leaves a lasting impression on the lady at the steps then leaves her in shock as he walks off.
Everyone loves Michael Jackson and the image he portrayed reached out to audiences of all ages. Unfortunately this video seems to be more focused on the older crowd, because of the bar setting. The video has adult scenes in it such as, the gambling scene, the pool and the bar scene. The video can also be entertainment for the older audience as well. They can relate more to the feel of the video because they may have lived through the Harlem Renaissance and remember the emergence of nightclubs in the 20s and 30s. The costumes in the video are modest, and the dancing in the video is not considered too “slutty”. Throughout the video Michael Jackson uses dance modestly showcase sexuality and male egos as he works to gain the respect of the men in the bar as well as the attention of the women watching.