A few weeks ago I got stuck in a nostalgia hole. I think it started by discovering master puppeteer Terri Hardin interviews on various podcasts about her work on Captain EO and that spiraled into discovering a behind the scenes TV special hosted by Whoopi Goldberg I found on YouTube.
After seeing many of the shows Disneyland has had in the Tomorrowland theater over the years Captain EO is my favorite. There is something about Michael Jackson leading a rag-tag group of characters still passes the test of time for me. I might have over hyped it a bit to my husband before he saw it when Disneyland brought in back a few years ago. He left the theater and said to me “that’s it?” But I fully believe that this is a must see and I hope Disney will bring it back in the coming years. Keep reading to find out four reasons why this movie stands the test of time.
The TrifectaĀ
No, this doesn’t have to do with horse racing it has to do with three people at the top of their games that had a major role in the movie. I think I only need to list them by their iconic last names: Coppola, Jackson, Lucas. Francis Ford Coppola was the director of this film and of course you know him from legendary movies like The Godfather andĀ Apocalypse Now. George Lucas was the executive producer and is best known for Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Last but not least was the star himself Michael Jackson who was in the absolute prime of his career having just released the Thriller album a few years before. Some fun trivia as it relates to the creation of the movie is that it had estimated budget of over seventeen million, Captain EO cost over aĀ million dollarsĀ a minute, making it one of the most expensive short films ever made!
The Music
Obviously with the king of pop as the star the music will be perfect. The film featured two favorite songs of mine “Another Part Of Me,” “We Are Here To Change The World.” The spacey score that you heard when entering the theater and in the intro of the film was composed byĀ James HornerĀ who was also composer of the Titanic score which was the best selling score of all time.
The Story
While not the most deep or intellectual story, Captain EO is a story of a team on spaceship (Captain EO, Fuzzball, Idey and Ody, Major Domo/Minor Domo, Hooter, and the Captain’s boss Commander Bog) sent to a planet to deliver a gift to the evil Supreme Leader (played by the legendary Anjelica Husten). Our rag-tag group are somewhat fumbling idiots and get caught by the Supreme Leader’s and she threatens to turn them into trash cans. During the capture Captain EO saysĀ that he believes that the supreme leader is really beautiful underneath all that black makeup and pipes. He breaks out in song and his team turns into the band and various instruments. Of course the clumsy Hooter trips on Captain EO’s cape stopping the music. The supreme leader is not impressed so she sends her guards after the group. Hooter somehow quickly regains his composure and the music begins again that has some magical powers which Captain EO uses to turn the guards into fantastic 80’s dancers. Eventually all the guards including the whip warriors turn into dancers, in this case break dancers. Captain EO then turns his powers on the Supreme leader and she magically floats down in a beautiful rainbow gown and now you can tell she’s played by Anjelica Husten. I think the trans-formative part of the story that music can change the world! Plus the dancing in this movie is incredibly 80’s with dancers who were fresh off Cats on Broadway or expert break dancers who I think were straight out of the 1984 movie “Breakin.”
4D Fun for the Whole Family
While the film was captured in 3D, Captain EO was regarded as one of the first 4D films in that there were additional special effects like lasers, smoke, and the seats moved like you were on the spaceship in the movie. When Captain EO came back in 2010, Disney added gusts of air on your legs when the whip warriors cracked their whips. There were also hidden water sprayers that burst when the character Hooter sneezed. I think all the interactively added fun and something that everyone from all ages could enjoy. I clearly remember my grandparents getting a kick from this show back in the 80’s as they had no interest for Space Mountain or Star Tours. My very own parents have fond memories of the show and people my age love it for the nostalgia. I hope the next big anniversary, perhaps 2021 (which would be the 35 anniversary) Disneyland will bring it back so we could introduce the film to the next generation of fans.
wow this is a blast from the past! When i was little and we went to disneyland i saw this as a ride.
Glad you came to visit!
I have never seen this show before, need to check it out! Super cool that it is 4D as well, can not see that I have seen a 4D movie before.
My Mum will absolutely love this! You just gave me a reason to coax her to go back to Disneyland, haha!
you have to visit!
I was actually never a fan of Captain EO at all. This was always the part of Disneyland that I cringed at as a kid whenever some one (usually my little brother) wanted to watch it. Perhaps I am in the minority??
I think it’s something you either love or hate!
What a great post this is. It was wonderful to hear your thoughts on this and how much you enjoyed it.
Thanks!
There are things that you simply can’t replace and this is one of them! This is definitely a walk down memory lane.
wow, i never heard about this before š it is quite interesting. as they always say old is gold, dont they ?
Totally!
Sounds like an amazing show – I would love all the music and dancing! I would enjoy it so much!
you can check it out on YouTube!
Whoaaa this is so cool! I didn’t know this was a thing but I’m fascinated! Thank you for sharing.
It’s totally a thing! You can find the video on YouTube!
Oh wow, I am a fan. Ican still still remember the day when I was hooked into this
Me too!
I am 30 something adult and I have never been to Disneyland and you post just wants me correct this situation at the earliest! <3
I remember watching this show in Disneyland a few years ago, and freaking out when the floor started moving! Haha it definitely was one of the best shows at Disneyland.
ah that is so funny!
I remember this! I was terrified as a kid when watching it because of the gusts of air and water haha.
Wow! I never thought there is something like this. Seems like remembering the past stuff. Oh I’m sure my elders would love this!
I loved it as a child but as an adult I’m not a huge fan but can appreciate it from a vintage perspective. š
For sure there are some awkward moments!
I never got to see Captain EO. I always feel like I missed out on a little bit of Disney history!
You can always check it out on YouTube, not exactly the same but itās there!
I loved Captain EO, especially towards the ends when āAnother Part of Meā would start playing…I would instantly turn into a fan girl, lol
Omg thatās my favorite song!
I’m sad to say that we never went on this! A friend of mine said it is the attraction she misses the most!
I really miss it too!
This sounds fascinating!
It was so much fun
Captain EO was also the beginning of so many great Lucasfilm/Disney collaborations throughout the Parks!
Captain EO was cheesy, fun, entertaining, and laughable at some moments. From different angles, it was enjoyable.