Captain EO
From Jackopedia
| Captain EO | |
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| Promotional poster for Captain EO | |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Attraction type | 3-D film with special effects |
| Theme | Space opera |
| Music | Written by James Horner |
| Starring | Michael Jackson, Anjelica Huston, Dick Shawn |
| Director | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Executive producer | George Lucas |
| Photographer | Vittorio Storaro |
| Writer and producer | Rusty Lemorande |
| Replaced | Magic Journeys |
| Replaced by | Honey, I Shrunk the Audience |
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| Epcot | |
| Opening date | September 12, 1986 |
| Closing date | July 6, 1994 |
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| Disneyland | |
| Opening date | September 18, 1986 |
| Closing date | April 7, 1997 |
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| Tokyo Disneyland | |
| Opening date | March 20, 1987 |
| Closing date | September, 1996 |
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| Disneyland Park (Paris) | |
| Opening date | April 12, 1992 |
| Closing date | August 17, 1998 |
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Captain EO is a 3-D film formerly shown at Disney theme parks.
The film stars Michael Jackson. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, executive-produced by George Lucas, choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday, photographed by Peter Anderson, produced by Rusty Lemorande, and written by Lemorande, Lucas and Coppola. The score was written by James Horner, and featured two songs ("We Are Here to Change the World" and "Another Part of Me") by Michael Jackson. The Supreme Leader was played by Anjelica Huston. Famed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro acted as visual consultant.
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[edit] The story
The movie tells the story of Captain EO and the ragtag crew of his spaceship on a mission to deliver a gift to a wicked alien queen, the Supreme Leader, on her home world of rotting, twisted metal and steaming vents. Captain EO's alien crew consists of his small flying sidekick Fuzzball, the double-headed navigator and pilot Idee and Odee, robotic security officer Major Domo, a small robot Minor Domo (who fits like a module into Major Domo), and the clumsy elephant-like shipmate Hooter (Tony Cox) who always manages to blunder the crew's missions.
Upon arriving on the planet, the crew is captured and sentenced to torture. Before being sent away, EO tells the Queen that he sees the beauty hidden within her, and that he brings her the key to unlock it: his song, "We Are Here To Change The World".
The two robot members of the crew transform into music instruments and the crew members begin to play the various instruments. As Hooter runs toward his instrument, he trips over EO's cape and breaks his instrument, stopping the music. The spell broken, the Queen orders her guards to capture Captain EO and his crew.
Hooter manages to repair his instrument and sends out a blast of music, providing EO with the power to throw off the guards. He uses his power to transform the dark hulking guards into agile dancers who fall into step behind him for a dance number. As EO presses forward toward the Supreme Leader she unleashes her Whip Warriors, two cybernetic defenders each with a whip and shield that can deflect EO's power.
The others all run away leaving Captain EO to fight the whip warriors alone. EO is trapped by a closing gate and is preparing for a last stand as both the whip warriors draw their whips back for a final blow. Fuzzball drops his instrument and speedily flies over to tie the two whips together, causing the whip warriors to be thrown off balance giving EO an opportunity to transform them as well. With no further obstacles, EO uses his power to transform the Queen into a beautiful woman, her lair into a peaceful Greek temple and the planet into a verdant paradise.
A celebration breaks out to "Another Part of Me", as EO and his crew triumphantly exit and fly off into space.
[edit] Special effects
Captain EO made full use of its 3-D effects. The action on the screen extended into the audience, including lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects, and starfields that filled the theater. These effects resulted in the seventeen-minute film costing an estimated $30 million dollars to produce.[1] At the time it was the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis.[2]
[edit] Merchandising
The story was adapted with art by Tom Yeates in the comic book Eclipse 3-D Special #18 and issued in two formats: regular sized for distribution to the national network of comic book stores and tabloid sized sold at Disneyland as a souvenir. [1] Toys available included plush versions of Hooter the elephant and the "Fuzzball" character. Trading cards and keychains were also produced.
[edit] Music
Two new songs appeared in the film. The first, "Another Part of Me", later appeared on Jackson's hugely successful Bad album.
"We Are Here to Change the World" was not officially released until 2004 as part of Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection. Soul/R&B singer Deniece Williams covered the song on her As Good As It Gets album (1988).[3]
[edit] Renewed Interest
Since the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, the short movie has regained popularity on the internet on such sites as Twitter and Facebook, as well as MTV.com's movie blog.[4] Many fans have suggested that The Walt Disney Company should bring the Tomorrowland attraction back to Disneyland Park.[5]
[edit] References
- ↑ Cadman, Chris (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. ISBN 978-0-7552026-7-6.
- ↑ Retroland.com
- ↑ "AllMusic: "A Good As It Gets"". allmusic.com. 2006. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dpfixql5ldfe. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
- ↑ http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/06/25/remembering-michael-jackson-captain-eo/
- ↑ Coker, Matt. Disneyland urged to bring back Michael Jackson's 'Captain EO', OC Weekly, June 26, 2009.
[edit] External links
- Captain EO at the Internet Movie Database
- Captain EO movie information - includes screenshots of the main characters.
- Captain EO at WDWHistory.com
- Captain EO comic book adaptation cover
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