HOME TECH : TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : VIDEOCASSETTES : Excellent Good Fair Poor
“Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.” MGM/UA. $29.95. Michael Jackson’s dance steps during “Billie Jean”--the highlight of this historic 1983 TV salute to the record company that helped define modern pop music--are the most exciting I’ve ever seen on a pop stage; more magical than any single number by James Brown. There are some annoying TV-special formulas in this video, which includes 30 more minutes of music than the original telecast, but the lineup (Stevie Wonder to the Temptations) and key performances (check out Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On”) are dazzling. 1/2
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