Netflix’s latest animated short is sure to THRILL fans of Michael Jackson this Halloween

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As a child of the ’80s and an unapologetic fan of Michael Jackson, I can confidently say that the “Thriller” video was not just a music video, but a pivotal moment in pop culture history. The fusion of horror, dance, and music was groundbreaking, and it continues to influence the entertainment industry today.

The iconic “Thriller” music video by Michael Jackson can be seen as a compact horror production skillfully directed by John Landis (known for “An American Werewolf in London”). It’s filled with tributes to various classic horror pieces. In this video, Jackson dances alongside an enormous army of the deceased, a scene that has been echoed and reimagined in numerous films, TV shows, music videos, and other creative works.

In 2024, the video garnered a billion views on YouTube, and it’s available for viewing in 4k quality. Notably, the team behind the hit animated movies “Sing” and “Sing 2” has created another tribute to music videos with a new short titled “Sing: Thriller“.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but groove to the captivating 11-minute music video masterpiece, “Sing: Thriller,” directed by the brilliant Garth Jennings (known for his work on “Sing” and “Sing 2,” as well as co-producing blockbusters like “Despicable Me,” “Minions,” and the upcoming “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”). This video production genius was also behind the creation of beloved franchises such as “The Secret Life of Pets,” “The Lorax,” “The Grinch,” and many more.

While speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, Jennings shared of the short:

I don’t know if it is possible to enjoy making anything as much as I have done while working on Sing: Thriller. Our awesome cast and team of geniuses at Illumination have gone above and beyond to take one of the biggest hits of all time and concoct a new and very special treat for Halloween.

In a fresh turn of events, the revamped production showcases the same ensemble from the films, spearheaded by character Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey). They put on an exceptional rendition of his innovative take on the “Thriller” music video within his New Moon Theatre.

After the show ends, the team receives an invitation to a Halloween bash hosted by Clay Calloway, a character played by Bono from the movie Sing 2 (though he wasn’t present in the original short film). They soon notice something strange when a vibrant gooey substance turns Clay and his partygoers into dancing zombies.

Additional cast includes:

Tori Kelly – Meena
Nick Kroll – Gunter
Scarlett Johansson – Ash
Taron Egerton – Johnny
Garth Jennings – Miss Crawly

Back in December of ’83, I was glued to MTV for the long-awaited debut of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This video took over the airwaves and boosted the sales of his sixth studio album by a whopping double, making it his first No. 1. The Thriller music video broke new ground, elevating music videos from mere accompaniments to true works of art.

Jackson and Landis collaborated on the tale, incorporating references to 1950’s B-movies, including the classic “Night of the Living Dead,” and peppering it with numerous homages to other horror films. The selection of Vincent Price as the narrator proved to be an excellent decision.

As a passionate fan, I took on the challenge of creating a documentary, titled Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller, due to his record company’s unwillingness to finance the video. This project served as a means to fund the production of this iconic video. Incredibly, it sold over a million copies and became the top-selling videotape during that era.

Be sure to check out Sing: Thriller on Netflix.

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2024-10-25 20:31