CAPTAIN EO - We Are Here To Change The World!

CAPTAIN EO is a 3D movie made by Disney, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas and Michael Jackson and it first played at DISNEYLAND back in 1986. It features Michael Jackson as the infamous CAPTAIN EO. He has a strange crew of a two-headed creature, IDEY and ODY, the cutest flying creature FUZZBALL, HOOTER our comic relief, and a robot Major Domo. Together they are on a mission to deliver “the gift” to the Supreme Leader (Angelica Houston). Now if you think it sounds corny, I don’t care, it’s a sci-fi adventure that was the coolest thing ever in its day. Michael Jackson was doing what he did best, singing and dancing and bringing people together and I still think its pretty cool now.

Back in August or September of 1986 my family and I had gone to Disneyland on a random weekend, we had annual passes and were just going to go. When we got there we realized there was something special going on, the taping for the CAPTAIN EO TV special. There were musical performances going on at the park, there were actors around and they would all be seeing CAPTAIN EO which hadn't opened yet.

It was later that night, while my sister and mom were on the Submarines, my dad and I were by the MAGIC EYE THEATER watching the crowds, hanging out and Soleil Moon Fry was off in the distance. (This is all part of the EO memory) Suddenly the cast members started ushering people into the theater and my dad and I got in!

Once inside there was a director there who started to direct the audience saying move left, move right, reach out like you're grabbing something. They said it was for the TV special and once he was done we’d get to finally see what CAPTAIN EO was all about.



The lights went down and the movie played, lasers zapped overheard, smoke filled the theater, lights seem to jump from the screen, everyone was immersed into this adventure of the rag tag bag. I wish I could exactly recall my thoughts then, but I loved it and my dad did too. As soon as we got out we found my sister and mom and went back in again all watching together as a family unit. From that day on we were all EO fans.



When the official date of CAPTAIN EO's return to Disneyland was announced I knew I had to be there, I couldn’t miss out. It was a moral imperative. (It is sad that it took Michael Jackson’s death to get EO back to Disneyland, but at least EO is here to show off Jackson at a peak point in time and remind us of those good old days we get nostalgic about.)

So, the night before EO’s grand opening I had heard people were lining up at midnight, and they were having a special line just for those who wanted to see EO first thing. Now I’m crazy, but I didn’t run down to line up at midnight, instead I arrived at Disneyland on Tuesday morning by 8:30 a.m. and got in line. Michael Jackson fans surrounded me, parents had kids dressed like Jackson, people were wearing their favorite Jackson tees and a few folks even had their Fuzzball toy on their shoulders. The crowd was buzzing and anxious.







There was an announcement that all those in line were sure to get into the first official show, which would be at 10 a.m., and we had to sign releases because there was filming going on at the theater.





Around 9:30 the line was let in and ushered down Main Street. There were some cameras around to capture it all and people cheered “EO-EO-EO”. Once at the theater yellow (safety goggles) glasses were handed out (I miss the original purple glasses) and we all walked down the ramp and up the stairs to the theater doors. I instantly flashed back to all the years ago when I saw EO those first times...the posters were on the walls, and EO logo on the TV screens, it’s like it never left and I had the biggest grin on my face.





Then the original intro video of the behind the scenes making of CAPTAIN EO started to play. This was so fun to watch, what a time capsule of the 80's with men and their mustaches and the girls with frizzy hair and hot pink leotards. Everyone loved it and the first sight of Michael Jackson brought on more cheers. I filmed it on my little camera and below you can see a clip of the end and hear the crowd reaction.



Once inside the theater, every seat was filled and the Cast Member did her intro spiel announcing there were some actors also in attendance and she explained EO was back almost exactly as it was in 70mm with “some” of the original effects. The crowd was ready, people were quoting lines, joking about the character of Hooter or doing the Michael Jackson “whoooo!” and cheering some more.



When it all settled down CAPTAIN EO began to play. I swear I was on the edge of my seat. It was a dream come true to be back at Disneyland watching this movie again.

At that first moment when Michael Jackson appears on screen everyone whooped and hollered again. The movie was just as it was before, but there was difference with some new theater effects. Using what was left behind of the 3D Honey I Shrunk the Audience the theater seats now rumble and thump during parts of the film. It’s cool when that happens during the ships crash landing but was a little silly as it jumped off beat during the big song. Still, all that matters was EO on the screen.

Yes I could go on more about what was exactly different in the show, like no more lasers zapping around the theater, lights coming from different place and the excessive bouncing, but it’s really all about the crowd gushing over CAPTAIN EO all over again and young kids seeing it for the first time.



It’s funny no one reaches out much anymore to try and grab what’s popping out before their eyes. I swear the whole theater did that back in the 80’s. But now as 3D is just another movie thing that’s just kitsch I guess.

As soon as the film ended everyone stood up for a standing ovation. The cheers went on for a while until Cast Members got everyone to sit back down so the Media could clear out first.

CAPTAIN EO LIVES AGAIN!

Before I left the “happiest place on earth” I had seen CAPTAIN EO five times. Yes, five times! I sat in the middle rows the first three times and then went to the front row and the back row after that. Every time the theater was packed and every time the people cheered when Michael first rises up on screen. Kids loved it and some kids were scared thanks to the Supreme Leader with her long fingernails snapping in your face. People talked about seeing it way back when; there was a lot of reminiscing going on and the vibe was positive. Folks love Michael Jackson, the King of Pop!

Being a spoiled Disneyland pass holder I returned to Disneyland the next day too and watched it two more times. Yes, the theater was full both times, and that second viewing had a great crowd. I even spotted a guy with a MJ sparkling glove.

Whatever you may think, the 80’s will never be forgotten. I hope that CAPTAIN EO sticks around for a long while. I want to watch it again and again...

“WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.”

Captain EO at DLAND 2/23/10