Who's BAD?

'Who's Bad?', a phrase that automatically makes anyone think of Michael Jackson's iconic track 'Bad', the title track to my most favourite album of all time, Bad.

It's been 25 years since this album was released, and as Michael did with Thriller (the biggest worldwide selling album of all time) the album is going to be re-released in a special package that includes remasters of all the original tracks including 'Smooth Criminal', the cheery 'The Way You Make Me Feel' and of course the anthemic 'Man in the Mirror'. As well as the original album, we're treated to unreleased tracks, some of which are finished and some just demos which apparently would be classed as finished if it wasn't for Michael's artistic perfectionism. The popular highlight of the package however is a whole concert, unedited, of Michael's Bad tour date at Wembley stadium in London in the presence of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. According to John Branca, one of the two executors of The Estate of Michael Jackson, this date is Michael at his all-time peak and left Branca feeling emotionally shaky, calling it his best performance, ever.

Courtesy of the fan forum MJJCommunity of which I am a member of, I had the honour of going to see the premiere of Spike Lee's documentary about the Bad era including the creation of all the tracks, behind the scenes footage of some legendary short films with interviews not only from the big stars but also with those that played a key part in the Bad era.

On arrival I was pleased to see quite a few people already. Most people, as well as myself, were sporting all sorts of clothing related to MJ, be it the military jacket, the fedora hat or an MJ t-shirt. I could feel Michael's presence knowing that everyone was there for only one man. After around an hours wait and Jodie Marsh's arrival (she's also a big fan) we were finally let in with popcorn and a bottle of water waiting for us at our seats which was nice considering Odeon's usual prices.

We were introduced by a presenter followed by a little hello by John Branca and Spike Lee's introduction to his documentary. There's a lot of spoilers going around now and an edited version will apparently be aired on the BBC before Christmas and on primetime television on Thanksgiving in America, so I'm not going to point everything out.

My favourite parts were extra footage of Michael that were fresh from the archives and have never publicly been seen before. Seeing the genius at work in the studio was jaw-dropping, especially as he sings his duet 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' with Siedah Garrett. I also enjoyed the live performance of 'Another Part of Me' which was a different cut to the actual released video. The quality of the picture and sound, on a cinema screen and sound system, made me feel I was actually there. It is a shame we won't be getting a HD release of Wembley as there isn't a copy that actually exists except the remastered VHS quality one that we will be getting, but I'm sure Michael's performance and the sound quality is going to make up for it.

As a fan it was the most interesting insight ever into how these tracks came to be and why they were included on the final cut. We hear a lot of small details and more importantly some hilarious stories about Michael. You will definitely see a different side to Michael you've probably never seen before.

There was also a great vibe in the cinema screen knowing that each person in there is a big MJ fan, we clapped and cheered collectively at moments we knew were classic MJ moments, everyone was clapping along during the end credits whilst 'Don't Be Messin' Round' was played, where a few even stood up to dance. Three years since Michael left us and he can still create this atmosphere.

After the film finished there was a question and answer session with John Branca and Spike Lee, who were very good at answering questions even if they weren't Bad25 related, that I am thankful for. I also managed to shake John Branca's hand as he was kind enough to not disappear as soon as the whole thing was over. He came across as a genuine fan and long-term friend of Michael's, and I really don't know why some of the Jackson family members want him out as he and other executor John McClain have done a great job so far, one that I don't think the family are capable of doing themselves.

My friend who also came along to the premiere said it was what we needed, and I think he got it exactly right there. After the passing of Michael we've had the This Is It film which brings out a slight bit of sadness due to some of the footage being filmed just hours before he passed. We then had the 'Michael' album which had some questionable tracks on, causing a big divide amongst the fans.

This documentary however is what we have been waiting for.

The full documentary will be available on DVD in February 2013 with over an hour of bonus footage.