Comparison of two interpretations of Smooth Criminal

This is Michael Jackson who originally sang Smooth Criminal.

The video is a based around the 1920s era in America of Gangsters in big cities like Chicago, making it a homage towards this "speak easy" era.
The performance is combined within the narrative making it evenly balanced.
MJ hits his audiences' needs by making this highly theatrical performance music video. This because his fans expect a performance with his music, similar to videos such as Thriller, Billie Jean and Bad. All are highly choreographed and he uses his own signature moves, like the moon walk.




This is Alien Ant Farm doing a cover of Smooth Criminal released in 2001

This music video is purely performance because none of the actions are in direct relation to the lyrics. However a lot of intertextual references are used involving Michael Jackson.
These intertextual references are certain MJ things that he has used in his most popular music videos, for example, the werewolf mask is in reference to the Thriller video, lighting up pavement stones is in reference to the Billie Jean video and the moonwalk dancing is an iconic move by Michael Jackson.
The mise-en-scene contrasts with MJ which shows that this side of the video is trying to still attract their fans, the stereotypical suburban America would most probably be where most of their main audience live. The fact that they are seen to be causing mayhem with a lot of children with no parents and no apparent rules is appealing to the rebellious side of their audience therefore showing off the fact that they are anti-establishment.

Although is appears more like a parody than a homage due to the 'making fun' parts of the intertextual references like lighting up a post box as well as the pavement, a comment I found on the youtube video has made me doubt this few ever so slightly:

"I remember when this first came out, and they were being interviewed about it. They are diehard MJ fans, and this video was a tribute to pretty much every famous music video he had made. MJ had said he was delighted by it and thought it was hilarious. I was a huge MJ fan, ever since being a tiny kid and seeing Thriller debut for the first time (yes, I'm old ;P), and I think this is a pretty nifty remake. Takes me back to my senior year in college, when this remake came out :D
Sleddles 3 days ago"