This shouldn't have been it. A stunning look into Michael Jackson's final days.
Written: Oct 29 '09 (Updated Oct 30 '09)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Great songs, behind the scenes footage, MJ's final rehearsals, innovative videos
Cons: Would have liked more of MJ's directives, a bit disjointed
The Bottom Line: Michael Jackson: This Is It is in its own genre. Seeing Michael full of life, dancing, singing and taking charge is both riveting and sad. He still had "it".
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| PattyTherre's Full Review: Michael Jackson: This Is It |
I'm a little hesitant to review Michael Jackson: This Is It because I'm not a movie reviewer and this film wasn't even a movie. However, it touched me deeply and so, I will attempt to review the film I just saw that had no plot nor any real direction. Before I do, I should note that I am, and always was, a casual fan of Michael Jackson. I like a lot of his songs but I thought his personal life was out of control. I was stunned, as was pretty much everyone else was, when I learned of his death and, in fact, I have been more interested in him since. I went to This is It to see if all the rumors of Michael Jackson being emaciated, strung out, barely able to move, and completely manipulated by AEG seemed true. I came out of the film with a whole new respect for Michael Jackson, the entertainer and the man.
Michael Jackson: This Is It
This one hour and 51 minute film directed by Kenny Ortega (who we see plenty of in the film), is raw rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson's This is It tour preparation.
The film begins with a scrolling intro, never really saying anything about Michael's death but it does mention the date June 25, the day Michael died.
We're then launched dancer interviews done during rehearsals and the into rehearsal footage, sometimes with split screens, often with Michael's outfits changing as he sang, showing him rehearsing on different days.
Interspersed between the singing and dancing are more interviews from the dancers as well as back up singers and musicians. These were done before Michael's death and they basically just talk about what an honor it is to work with the King of Pop and how professional he is. Was. I still have pause and remember Michael Jackson passed away.
Throughout the film, Michael is seen dancing very much like he did a decade ago. For someone who supposedly could barely walk, that man could dance! I was surprised at how great his dancing still was and how innovative his moves were. Although he looked painfully thin, he certainly showed no signs of slowing down.
The film simply goes from song to song, stopping to show Michael as he discussed moves or music with the staff. Those glimpses of Michael Jackson quietly but firmly taking control of the production and having a hand in everything from the dance steps, the tempo of the music, the looks of the videos, and more were the most interesting part of the film for me. I had thought that Michael was forced into this tour and really had no interest in it. I was wrong. He was the consummate perfectionist in the scenes we saw and it was clear that he was very much in charge.
We got to see some of the videos that were to be used in the background during the tour and they sure are amazing. Thriller is remixed and redone, Smooth Criminal is super cool looking in old style black and white, and other videos are state of the art and touching at the same time.
While this film had no plot and no documentary qualities, it flowed fairly well. There were moments where it seemed to drag on but I suspect that was because I just didn't happen to like the song that was being performed.
The quality of talent Jackson had backing him was top notch. The dancers were the best of the best, the musicians were great, and the back up singers couldn't have sounded better. But unlike some singers' comebacks that rely on supporting talent and smoke and mirrors to hide flaws, Michael Jackson was always front and center in every number. He danced throughout the numbers, sang, and gave 100%.
It's astounding to think that he had such a troubled personal life yet was able to deliver such amazing performances in rehearsals. If he was the strung out addict that he has been said to be, he certainly hid it well. He looked sharp, sounded coherent and focused, and showed no signs of being anything but 100% professional.
The theater I went to was small and many of the people there seemed to be older. As the film progressed, sniffles could be heard and my own sister, who went with my husband and I, pulled out the tissues a few times. It was, indeed, sad to see such amazing performances in the making that will never be seen in their finished versions.
I didn't look for things like video quality (It all looked fine to me.) or editing glitches (The nature of the film was lots of clips edited together.). I just went to see the last work Michael Jackson did. And, when the film was over, I left with a whole new respect for him.
This is It will be out on DVD soon, probably with extra footage, but I don't regret watching it in the theater. The surround sound brought the songs to life and the big screen made the performances exactly what they would have been had Michael lived and gone on to perform the numbers on tour: larger than life.
We all really enjoyed the film and came away with a sadness that the King of Pop is gone when he clearly still had so much to give to his fans. It would have been a heck of tour had it happened.
Although some parts of This is It seemed to be a bit disjointed or rushed, in all, I have to give the film 5 stars. Had he lived and gone on to tour and I went to see this film, I would have rated it lower. But this is it. Michael Jackson's final days and final rehearsals for a tour that will not happen. I'm glad I got to at least see what would have been to come had Michael lived to perform the numbers he clearly worked so hard to perfect.
Conclusion
Michael Jackson: This is It is in a genre of its own. It's not a concert film and it's not a documentary. The star of the film is gone so he can't promote it and his death is completely glossed over. I guess anyone going to see the film clearly knows that MJ is gone and to turn the footage into a memorial for him would have taken away from the film's objective of showing that Michael Jackson was still on top of his game and in control.
My favorite parts of the film were watching Michael quietly yet sternly direct those around him as to exactly how he wanted things to look, sound, and convey to the fans. Without a doubt, Michael Jackson was fully immersed in the upcoming tour. It's a darn shame he never got to show skeptical fans (like myself) that he still had "it". But seeing this film convinced me. Michael Jackson would have been able to deliver an amazing live show. At least we have this film to remind us of that.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: None of the Above
Viewing Method: Studio Screening/Premiere
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Pacing
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