Captain EO

Infobox Disney ride
name= Captain EO
caption=
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designer= Walt Disney Imagineering
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type= 3-D film with special effects
theme= Space opera
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music= Written by James Horner
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audio-animatronics
custom_label_1= Starring
custom_value_1= Michael Jackson, Anjelica Huston, Dick Shawn
custom_label_2= Director
custom_value_2= Francis Ford Coppola
custom_label_3= Executive producer
custom_value_3= George Lucas
custom_label_4= Photographer
custom_value_4= Vittorio Storaro
custom_label_5= Writer and producer
custom_value_5= Rusty Lemorande
custom_label_6= Replaced
custom_value_6= "Magic Journeys"
custom_label_7= Replaced by
custom_value_7= "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience"
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park= Epcot
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opened= September 12, 1986
closed= July 6, 1994
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park= Disneyland
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opened= September 18, 1986
closed= April 7, 1997
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park= Tokyo Disneyland
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opened= March 20, 1987
closed= September, 1996
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park= Disneyland Park (Paris)
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opened= April 12, 1992
closed= August 17, 1998
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"Captain EO" (alternately, "Captain Eo") is a 3-D film formerly shown at Disney theme parks.

The film stars Michael Jackson. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, executive-produced by George Lucas, choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday, photographed by Peter Anderson, produced by Rusty Lemorande, and written by Lemorande, Lucas and Coppola. The score was written by James Horner, and featured two songs ("We Are Here to Change the World" and "Another Part of Me") by Michael Jackson. The Supreme Leader was played by Anjelica Huston. Famed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro acted as visual consultant.

The story

The movie tells the story of Captain EO and the ragtag crew of his spaceship on a mission to deliver a gift to a wicked alien queen, the Supreme Leader, on her home world of rotting, twisted metal and steaming vents. Captain EO's alien crew consists of his small flying sidekick Fuzzball, the double-headed navigator and pilot Idee and Odee, robotic security officer Major Domo, a small robot Minor Domo (who fits like a module into Major Domo), and the clumsy elephant-like shipmate Hooter (Tony Cox) who always manages to blunder the crew's missions.

Upon arriving on the planet, the crew is captured and sentenced to be tortured. Before being sent away, EO tells the Queen that he sees the beauty hidden within her, and that he brings her the key to unlock it: his song.

The two robot members of the crew transform into music instruments and the crew members begin to play the various instruments. As Hooter runs toward his instrument, he trips over EO's cape and breaks his instrument, stopping the music. The spell broken, the Queen orders her guards to capture Captain EO and his crew.

Hooter manages to repair his instrument and sends out a blast of music, providing EO with the power to throw off the guards. He uses his power to transform the dark hulking guards into agile dancers who fall into step behind him for a dance number. As EO presses forward toward the Supreme Leader she unleashes her Whip Warriors, two cybernetic defenders each with a whip and shield that can deflect EO's power.

The others all run away leaving Captain EO to fight the whip warriors alone. EO is trapped by a closing gate and is preparing for a last stand as both the whip warriors draw their whips back for a final blow. Fuzzball drops his instrument and speedily flies over to tie the two whips together, causing the whip warriors to be thrown off balance giving EO an opportunity to transform them as well. With no further obstacles, EO uses his power to transform the Queen into a beautiful woman, her lair into a peaceful Greek temple and the planet into a verdant paradise.

A celebration breaks out as EO and his crew triumphantly exit and fly off into space.

pecial effects

"Captain EO" made full use of its 3-D effects. The action on the screen extended into the audience, including lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects, and starfields that filled the theater. These effects resulted in the seventeen-minute film costing an estimated $17 to $30 million dollars to produce. At the time it was the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis. Fact|date=August 2007

Merchandising

The story was adapted in the comic book "Eclipse 3-D Special" #18.

Music

Two new songs appeared in the film. The first, "Another Part of Me", later appeared on Jackson's hugely successful "Bad" album.

"We Are Here To Change The World", which was not officially released until 2004 as part of "". Soul/R&B singer Deniece Williams covered the song on her "As Good As It Gets" album (1988).cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dpfixql5ldfe|title=AllMusic: "A Good As It Gets"|accessdate=2007-05-29 |format= |work=allmusic.com|date= 2006 ]

In the movie we see the blue elephantine creature Hooter play the keyboard. This is very reminiscent of George Lucas' Star Wars character Max Rebo who plays keyboard in Jabba's Palace.

Rumors of a return and DVD release

- It has been rumored that there might be a limited return of Captain EO to the Disney Theme parks as part of a "retro" look into the history of the parks.Fact|date=September 2008 As well, rumors have circulated for sometime of a home DVD release of Captain EO.Fact|date=September 2008 Both seem very unlikely as there have been disputes in the past between Jackson and Disney over the use of his likeness (according to Disney staff at the theme parks) as well as contractual agreements that would have to take place between Disney and LucasFilm.Fact|date=September 2008 Such a return would undoubtably be successful and draw massive attendance numbers.Fact|date=September 2008 Bootleg DVD's taken from a BETA transfer as well as a direct transfer from the right projector film (3D requires two projectors) can also be found for sale online.Fact|date=September 2008 Much of the effect of the film is lost however, as the movie is intended for 3D viewing in the custom theatre with the special effects.

ee also

*Epcot attraction and entertainment history
*Tokyo Disneyland attraction and entertainment history
*List of past Disneyland attractions

References

External links

*
* [http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/movies/captaineo.html "Captain EO" movie information] - includes screenshots of the main characters.
* [http://www.wdwhistory.com/Epcot/FutureWorld/Imagination/CaptainEO/ "Captain EO" at WDWHistory.com]