In the opening sequence of smooth criminal, the play between blue and white lights and dark alley background sets a tenebrous scene while depicting Michael Jackson as the central subject of the music video by making him appear important, bold and superhuman. The sequence opens as a long shot (still-camera) of a blue-lit corner alley corner, shrouded by an over-bearing shadow of a man. Fairytale-like music plays in the background giving a divine perspective of the shadow. While camera stays still, the shadow moves forward, reducing in size. In the next few seconds, we see Michael Jackson running around the corner, in a white suit, as the tempo of the music increases. The still camera creates an illusion of him running towards the audience. His blue shirt complements the blue-lit walls while his stark white suit provides a strong contrast with the dark alley and dim lighting, giving him a central role. As he turns around the second corner, the camera is focused in a close shot of faces of three ethnically different children staring at Jackson with awe and curiosity. The second establishing shot (taken from behind MJ), consists of a green door, possibly depicting an entrance to a different world/society. When MJ opens the door, bright white light engulfs his entirety and his previously stark white suit appears like a dark silhouette against it; again making him a central figure. Another camera/scene shift shows the trio being blinded by light while MJ stands against it, steadily, when the camera focuses on him. He, therefore, comes across as super-human. The last shot of the scene is a close-up of his face where he tips his hat, confidently, and goes through the doorway. Afterwards, we see back-to-back shots of the trio in shock and descending light from the doorway. Finally, the door shuts depicting the blockage of the outside world and MJ’s bold ascend into another. MJ’s prodigal depiction serves as a perfect setting for his role as a super-natural gang leader whom no force can stop (even army men with guns!).
