Smooth Criminal

About

"Smooth Criminal" is a pivotal music video by Michael Jackson, featured as the centerpiece of his 1988 film Moonwalker. The video is set in a 1930s gangster style, with Jackson wearing a white suit and fedora, paying homage to Fred Astaire's "Girl Hunt Ballet" from The Band Wagon. The choreography, co-created by Jackson, Vincent Paterson, and Jeffrey Daniel, includes the iconic "anti-gravity lean," which appears physically impossible due to its use of cables and harnesses. The video premiered on MTV on October 13, 1988, and received several awards, including Best Video at the BRIT Awards and People's Choice Awards. It showcases Jackson's dance prowess and artistic vision, blending music, dance, and visual storytelling. The "Smooth Criminal" segment in Moonwalker also features a narrative where Jackson confronts a villainous character, Mr. Big, played by Joe Pesci. The video's style and choreography have been influential in pop culture, making it one of Jackson's most celebrated works.