Spike Lee’s much-anticipated documentary Bad 25, which examines the production of Michael Jackson’s Bad album on its 25th anniversary, opens in New York City today. But it’s only yesterday that it got anything resembling a first trailer. At just over a minute, the look below teases new behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the classic album, along with perspectives from the wider world of entertainment.
We already knew Martin Scorsese was interviewed extensively for the film, having directed the 18-minute Bad short film, but this trailer also reveals interviews with players like Sheryl Crow—she was a backup singer for Jackson on his Bad tour, and can be see in this video of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”—critic Nelson George, and Bad video choreographer Vincent Paterson. The feature also includes commentary from Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Cee Lo Green, and Justin Bieber—not to mention the secret to Jackson’s anti-gravity lean in the “Smooth Criminal” music video. (If you’re too curious to wait, the CBS Evening News seems to have the answer.)
Early reviews of the film since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August have been overwhelmingly positive. “The director, Spike Lee, assembles a fond and meticulously detailed mosaic of a perfectionist at work,” Jeannette Catsoulis wrote for The New York Times. The documentary will air on ABC on Thanksgiving Day at 9:30 p.m. ET. You can also watch a short clip about the making of “The Way You Make Me Feel” video if you can’t wait until then.
Previously
Why the Music Video for “Bad” Is One of Michael Jackson’s Greatest Works
Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson Doc Looks Great
