‘This is It’ Commemorates what Jackson did Best
-----I was not looking forward to ‘Michael Jackson’s This is It.’ I got bored during the trailer. And it seemed for good reason, because who really wants to sit through two hours of people praising controversial performer Michael Jackson as some sort of visionary hero to rival Martin Luther King Jr. and other great American leaders? So it came as a shock when word started to spread that ‘This is It’ isn’t about the man, but the performer. Michael Jackson became famous for his vocal and physical capabilities on the stage, and ‘This is It’ reminds us of that.
-----The film is compiled solely of rehearsal footage from what was to be Michael Jackson’s ultimate concert. After a ten year hiatus from stage performances, the now 50 year old legend was back to doing what he did best. And with ten years of controversy and negative publicity surrounding him, the 50 presold performances would return him to the spotlight for the right reasons.
-----Michael Jackson is the only recognizable face in ‘This is It,’ and appropriately so. Early on in the film you really get a feel for just how famous the pop culture king is. And it’s a fame we often take for granted. Michael Jackson has been established my whole life, his status as a music giant never coming into question. And so it’s almost surreal to see the young performers around him, occasionally swapping ideas and even suggestive criticisms (though Jackson only receives the latter from Director Kenny Ortega); and it’s all in the name of making a great show. It’s simply spectacular to see how a 50 year old man can still dance as if he was in his prime. His talent shows more than anything, with his general love for human beings apparent in a few of the more personal scenes. Whether conserving his voice, going tirelessly through routines looking for perfection, or just having a good time, ‘This is It’ provides a nicely balanced look at Jackson and the construction of an international concert.
-----Some of the film’s earliest scenes are its best. Filmed sequences that were meant to play behind Jackson at the concert are especially enjoyable to witness in their production stages. It’s a lot like the special features on a DVD or Blu-Ray. One planned sequence in particular puts Jackson in a blues club complete with black and white visuals and a film-noir inspired atmosphere. Even better yet is my personal favorite of Jackson’s many hits, ‘Annie are You OK,’ being sung live by Jackson to the video, as mobsters star to chase after his character in the dramatization. There are many scenes like this, with various filmed pieces playing behind the live performers rehearsing on the stage. Towards the film’s second half however, these pieces are taken over by more straightforward rehearsals and a number of extended sessions with Jackson just going through his songs. Consequently, the film dissolves almost exclusively into these musical numbers, departing from the film’s earlier dialogue and variety. This becomes a nuisance for those who aren’t Jackson die-hards, as it was for me, especially once your favorite songs have passed. That in mind, you wouldn’t want to disservice the unrealized final concert by getting skimpy with what precious footage remains after Jackson’s untimely death; especially when you consider that the film was made for the aforementioned die-hards.
-----‘This is It’ is technically a solid execution, most of the footage being captured by previously set up cameras, giving documentary shots that can’t be criticized for their framing. Most of the footage, judging from Jackson’s outfits, seems to be taken from 5-10 rehearsals rather than every rehearsal they ever had, but the audience does get a sense of the enormity that is the task of putting a concert together. That being said, the film definitely slows down as some of its elements get repetitive, but not much can be criticized given the nature of the documentary. One thing that’s for sure; the musical score won’t let anyone down.
-----For many who have become disillusioned with Jackson’s antics over the years, this film will be legacy restoring, provided they give it a chance. “Legacy Restoring” could have made a great title for this review, but it’s simply not applicable for the general public. For the Jackson faithful, it will be a confirmation of what they already knew, and a much heralded backstage look into Jackson’s final performance. For the devoutly skeptical or agreeably wary as I was myself, it will be a refreshing take on the performer; praising his talent, politics aside. It also brings some questions to the forefront, like whether Jackson’s ten year hiatus was the cause of so many forgetting why he became famous in the first place. No doubt he also aided his self-parodying character in the public eye with his controversial and sometimes downright bizarre actions. Regardless, ‘This is It’ does less redeeming and fighting for Jackson’s character than it does unassumingly portray their masterpiece concert that was canceled just days before it was to debut. The film also brings a new pain to those far removed from Jackson’s death, if not for the man, for all of the people whose work went into developing this massive production. This film no doubt acts as somewhat of a saving grace for those involved, their hard work not fading into obscurity. All hype aside, casual fans and the general public should be sure to rent this one, with some of the slower moments sure to be more forgiving in the comfort of your home. For Jackson fanatics, well…you’ve undoubtedly already seen this one. Twice. And you’ll surely devour hours of extra footage when the film comes to DVD and Blu-Ray. Bottom line; ‘Michael Jackson’s This is It’ is a worthy swan song for a lyrical legend.
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