Movie review: Michael Jackson’s This Is It

by Alex Bentley

As with everything surrounding the death of Michael Jackson in June, the concept of making a film out of the rehearsal footage for his This Is It tour was stunning for several reasons. First and foremost was whether it should be done at all, since it could be seen as both exploitation and inappropriate given that the footage was mostly intended for Jackson's private viewing to refine the show.

Once the decision was made, however, the focus switched to exactly what type of film it would be (Straight-up concert film? Eulogy/tribute?) and whether a coherent documentary could be made in four short months by director Kenny Ortega (who was also directing the concert). When Michael Jackson's This Is It begins, we are greeted with dancer after dancer, prior to their auditions, expressing deep emotions about how much it means for them to be given the opportunity to dance with him.

This seems to portend a tear-jerking experience ... until the music starts, appropriately, with "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Ortega seamlessly blends together multiple cameras and footage from rehearsals at several different locations to give a comprehensive look at how much work Jackson was putting in to make sure that the concert came off just right. And if anyone doubted it before, there can be no questioning how much of a perfectionist he was, and that he would not allow anyone, from the dancers to the musicians to the production crew, to put forth any less effort than he did.

Of course, Jackson was also the consummate entertainer, and the production value of the concert is staggering. Film segments were planned for various songs, including thousands of CGI dancers for "They Don't Care About Us," Jackson commingling with clips of Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney for "Smooth Criminal," and a brand-new 3D segment for "Thriller." A medley of "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" is served up with the vintage Jackson 5 backdrop, while Jackson takes to the sky (courtesy of a rotating, elevated platform) for "Beat It."

The film does not include any interviews done after his death, so the predictable fawning over Jackson by his dancers and musicians feels much more organic since they had no idea that their comments would ever be seen outside of their small circle. There are also multiple times when they are shown just watching Jackson rehearse, and their reactions to his singing and dancing show them to be his ultimate fans, rather than just hired hands.

This Is It cannot be considered a true concert film because it never shows any one song from beginning to end. Instead, it is an invaluable peek into the creative process of a musical genius. Whatever one thought of his increasingly bizarre personal life, it's hard to dispute that his music and dancing skills were unparalleled. This is especially evident with his arrangement of "The Way You Make Me Feel," in which he starts off the unabashed dance song with a slow build. As Jackson says in the film, "You gotta let it simmer," a choice that makes an already great song close to transcendent.

This Is It likely won't please everybody. Anybody who wants a clue into Jackson's demise or to get a glimpse of the grief the group experienced when finding out about his death will be sorely disappointed, as the film doesn't even hint at that. There's also the inclusion of Jackson's tepid (and apparently self-derivative) posthumous single, "This Is It," over the ending credits. While the song was obviously meant to go along with the show, it really adds nothing of value to the film as a whole.

But what the film does well is provide the ultimate tribute to the fallen superstar. The final words on screen -- "Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Love Lives Forever" -- epitomize who he was and what he believed. The film's dedication says "For the fans," and it is truly an experience that fans will be able to cherish.

• Staff
• Verified User
• Anonymous