Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

I think the first thing to know about this DVD is that this is the version that was aired on HBO in 1992, and not the version that was broadcast on BBC (that was never officially released on DVD). The only differences are that there are audience shots in this one from other location concerts mixed in, the crowd noises are reported to be edited, and the We Are The World Video Interlude is not present. The concert was performed on October 1, 1992 in Bucharest, Romania to a sold-out crowd of 70,000 fans. The DVD runs for 122 minutes, and was directed by Andrew Morahan.

I think it's hard to watch and not feel the "magic" he emitted. Just seeing how his presence (just standing quietly) affects the crowd is amazing. There are reviews out there saying that Michael is lip-syncing and that the video shows too much audience and not enough Michael. I haven't noticed any lip-syncing and it's more apparent to me the deeper the DVD goes in that this is not the case because there are many sets where he omits lyrics, possibly to catch his breath . It's true that the video shows a lot of audience, but the deeper into the DVD (because of the more elaborate songs/dances), it starts to focus on Michael more. I don't mind the audience because it's part of the "Michael Jackson concert experience"; seeing a sea of bodies go wild, thousands of lighter flames struck in the air in honor, and seeing person after person faint from too much excitement. (My daughter and I make a game of counting how many "fainters" there were per song.)

The concert starts with Michael being propelled out from underneath the stage, shrouded by sparks from blasts. The crowd goes wild, but he is silent and as still as a statue. People are crying, and a few even faint, but he remains still. Finally, he turns his head and the screams begin again. As he slowly removes his sunglasses, the crowd is at an all time high. He hasn't even opened his mouth yet and the crowd is crazy. Finally, he begins......

Jam - During Jam, there is a lot of panning to the audience, but the cameras focus on him during every major movement (like the "sideways Moonwalk thing" he does often). He does a little number with some backup dancers before (and during) the rapper comes out for his part, and Michael looks as if he is made of water, he is so fluid. It was a pumped up song, perfection for matching the level of excitement coming from the audience when he first arrived on stage.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' - This song has a few of the previous backup dancers singing backup vocals and since its not as hyper or pumped up as Jam, it helps lower the excitement level for the next song while still being incredibly entertaining. (There's nothing worse than going to a concert, getting revved up on a fast song, and then wham! The next set is a slow ballad. ). Michael does a lot of "nether region grabbing" in this set and what's funny for me is seeing the backup dancers doing it as well. Michael was perfectly comfortable and confident while doing it, so I've always just smiled and rolled my eyes, going "Oh, Michael....tsk". The backup dancers look a bit unconfident ("I just do it for a job, Ma'am") , so it's both weird and worth a giggle. The song has a (false) ending of poses of Michael and crew with smoke/fan vents blowing on them as a nice touch. (How many people who fainted did YOU count?)

Human Nature - Michael uses a LOT of energy in this song moving his body, so he's a bit breathless during this one. It's a slower song and one I've always enjoyed, but I admit a fraction of disappointment that he has to omit quite a few words (perhaps by choice), and at some points, letting the audience take over. ("They say why...why...Tell them that it's human nature....why....why..")

Smooth Criminal- We're back to this. If you've read my other reviews, you know this is my favorite MJ performance due to the dancing he does during the song. It starts off very slowly, with Michael moving about, silhouetted behind a drape, but then he comes out in his white hat and jacket where he begins to sing this fast paced "murder mystery" song ("Annie are you okay...will you tell us...that you're okay? There's a sign at the window...that he struck you...a crescendo, Annie...") He does quite a few of the moves from the video single, and if you thought "The Lean" was amazing then, you should see how far he takes it here. Song and dance performance ratings, for me, this was one of the highlights of the concert performance.

I Just Can't Stop Loving You- This is a ballad done in a duet with Siedah Garrett. (She also sings a lot of background backup throughout). It's a soft, pretty song, but not one of my favorites, by any means. ("..I just can't stop loving you...I just can't stop loving you...and if I stop....then tell me just what will I do..") If you've heard the song, maybe you'll agree that Michael has the "prettiest" voice in the duet.

She's Out of My Life - This song starts immediately after the last break of the previous song. Michael stands alone in a spotlight singing this slow song about his love(r) that is out of his life. If you notice, he sings this song after Garrett has "disappeared" so that it ties into the previous performance. He asks the audience at one point, "Can I come down there?" (to a lower stage) while a woman is guided out of the audience and into his arms while he softly sings while holding her. If you've seen any of the other Dangerous concerts, this is the norm. But, every woman, every time, has to be literally carried away while she tries to claw her way back. (Funnnnnnny to see). And, of course, we see Michael drop down in tears in the middle of the performance. On CD, this is a song I usually skip, but on DVD, it is incredibly moving.

I Want You Back - Now we're brought back to his Jackson 5 days. This song, although now with a more mature voice, is still as fun as when he first sang it all those years ago. It's really short, and immediately combines with......

....The Love You Save - Another catchy Jackson 5 song. If you haven't seen this (but have seen the 30th anniversary performance) it's basically the exact same routine (minus his brothers), with Michael doing his "old school" dance moves. This song, too, is only a fraction and immediately goes into....

.....I'll Be There - Michael is older here and can't hit the notes/tones he could doing this song as a young child, but his performance is still wonderful. It's a song where he sings lyrics like "..I'll be there...I'll be there...just call my name, and I'll be there" (this is a song almost everyone has heard at least once in their lives). The ending is moving, in that the stage is dark with Michael in a spotlight and you can faintly see microphone stands standing alone behind him. Then, he names each brother, and as he does so, a spotlight lights up each stand, one for each of them.

Thriller - You know the song, you've seen the video. Here, we are given a light show before skeletons begin to come onto the stage as Michael begins to sing about "boogers in the night", while dancing. The performance is really cool in that is has a black-light effect so every skeleton glows, and every neon colored zombie lights up (reminds me of a George Clinton concert). It's like a show on it's own, with the smoke, the lights, and the "magic act" towards the end. (Listen for legendary Vincent Price's "rap" to pipe in). His werewolf mask is a lot better here than in the video where he looked like a kitty cat gone rabid.

Billie Jean - This is one of his most popular songs, about a woman claiming he is the father of her son, which he denies. He sports the shiny black jacket and does dance moves familiar to the song. There is very little audience panning in this set, which is great because he is constantly moving. This also features his extra steps as the song ends. (Best Bit: Still, the Moonwalk. He glides across the stage effortlessly, better than when he first debuted it.)

Black Panther Video Interlude - This is shown on the screens around the stage and it's the dance sequence that was cut from his song Black or White. It's not the full version in that it lacks the glass with racial slurs (that he breaks) and there is less grabbing of his "nether regions". But, it shows moves (this is dance only) that make him seem part tap dancer and part mime, before morphing into a panther at the end.

The next performances are Workin' Day & Night, Beat It (which was completely awesome), and Will You Be There. Will You Be There features a choir background with Michael singing lyrics such as "...carry me like you were my brother....love me like a mother...will you be there...". (Can you spot the #1 fan in the audience? Ha!) It's a moving song, and he did a wonderful performance of it, and has "joy" on his face through to the end, where the "angel" enfolds him in her wings.

Next is Black or White and Heal the World. Both "cause worthy" songs with messages within, but I enjoyed the Heal the World performance best because it doesn't pan to the audience as much as the previous song. In Heal the World, we see a ballerina dancing with "the world" ( a ball), when....Oops!....it rolls away. But, Michael comes on stage, picks it up at his feet, and hands it back to her, then starts singing about healing the world and making it a better place. The end has the stage rising with Michael on it, revealing a globe underneath. Finally, after Michael ropes down to the bottom stage, children and adults alike (wearing ethnic clothes from every region) come out, hand in hand, and together they begin to encircle the globe while he sings on. I've always liked seeing this song performed because of the kids on the stage. They represent a united world, united people, and the hope for the world's survival. Well, to me they do anyway.

The final performance is of Man in the Mirror, a song about changing the world by first changing ourselves. This is one of his best sounding (lyric and overall sound) "heal the world-type" songs (although, for me, second to Earth Song--not shown here--). Michael is spotlighted on stage during this set, not much dancing, and lots of panning to the audience. (How many "fainters" did you count this time?) It bleeds into the finale, where Michael introduces the band before "flying away" on his jet pack.

I thought Michael gave a powerful performance and this DVD shows why he was (is) the King of Pop. With the way the audience carried on, you'd think they saw the performance of their lifetime, and with this DVD, I myself walk away thoroughly entertained. If you like his music, like his music videos, then you should see him at his best....on stage. I give Live in Bucharest a full 5 stars, for sound quality, video quality, and overall performance.




Other DVDs You May Enjoy:

Michael Jackson Live in Japan (Concert)
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits HIStory
Michael Jackson HIStory on Film Volume II
Michael Jackson Dangerous: The Short Films
Michael Jackson Number Ones
Michael Jackson Moonwalker (VHS)
Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller (VHS)
Michael Jackson's This Is It

CDs:

Michael Jackson Number Ones
Michael Jackson This Is It


Books:

The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation 
Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older