In the wake of Thriller, Bad is a bit of a disappointment. I can see the logic, getting someone even more acclaimed as a filmmaker than John Landis - here, getting Martin Scorsese - to direct might've seemed like the right kind of escalation.
But the premise here isn't as strong. The song also isn't as strong as Thriller (neither's among Jackson's very best tracks, but Thriller is better, and fits that music video like a glove). And Scorsese gives things some personality, but wouldn't Francis Ford Coppola be a better fit, given there's something of an Outsiders or Rumble Fish vibe to what happens in the Bad video?
As far as Scorsese's involvement goes, it did lead to a fantastic Last Temptation of Christ gag, where there's a poster that reads "WANTED FOR SACRILEGE - BAD" with mugshots of Scorsese on it. That was funny.
I also remember finding the pre-dancing stuff in the Bad video boring as a kid, and it's also not particularly great as an adult, besides the fun that comes from spotting a young Wesley Snipes show up.
So, as a Scorsese short film, Bad is solid. As a Michael Jackson music video, once the music/dancing starts, it's pretty good. But it is a little odd overall, and not one I love... but that might also be my feelings on the song shining through. Methinks the Michael doth boast about being bad too much (or is that the joke of the song? Maybe I'm the dense one).
