MOVIE OF THE WEEK (10/28/09): MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega, a bunch of very talented dancers, musicians and back-up singers like Judith Hill, Mo Pleasure, Dorian Holley ...
DIRECTOR: Kenny Ortega
WEB SITE: www.thisisit-movie.com
THE PLOT: Michael Jackson's death this summer was many things to many people: Unexpected, a tragedy and the end of an era among them ... But for Jackson, this summer was to be something else. It was going to be the stage for the apex of his on-stage touring career, culminating in an international tour that was to begin at London's 02 Arena. Rehearsing for months, Jackson had been hard at work preparing the show that audiences would remember him for - only to have his life come to an end before he could present it to the world.
Until now.
Chronicling months of rehearsals taking place this March through June, Michael Jackson's This is It takes from 100 hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, offering a look at the artist preparing as never seen before. given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he has never been seen before.
And what a "thriller" it is.
THE TAKE: Michael Jackson is sort of like - in a completely non-sacreligious way, if you will allow me a second to explain myself - a religious figure to a lot of people, one in particular. He became a star in his childhood, he has had his life documented, reviewed an examined at every twist and turn, been exiled and reviled by thousands in the court of public opinion (as well as several legal courts) and yet remains one of the most inspiring figures the world has ever known. Say what about the man's personal life, but when it the focus is solely on his music, it's a safe bet to say Jackson was a man without an equal.
If you were ever in your lifetime a Michael Jackson fan, This Is It is a must see. That, however, is not the reason this footage makes for a stellar film; that would simplifying it far too much. No, This is It is a must see for several reasons, the first of which is the insight it offers into an artist carefully piecing together their craft.
While there have been many documentaries that show musicians/comedians/reporters, etc. researching what they do, This Is It is even more detailed than the rest for it shows an extremely private person in a way that we've never seen him: A human being simply trying to do the best that they can at what they do, not a superstar simply going through the motions. Whereas other stars might be seen as being demanding because they are trying to present themselves as perfect, This is It is able to show the love Jackson has for his music and the feelings he hopes it inspires.
While the first 20 minutes is a bit shocking in the sense of the over-the-top gushing of its participants about working with the late King of Pop, that feeling dissipates once you begin to watch Jackson and company go to work. From figuring out the tempo of a melody to nailing choreography, this is a man doing what he loves and doing his best to showcase it to the rest of the world. In order for Jackson to sing a dance number, he has to feel the groove; in order for him to sing a ballad, the words have to have meaning and flow from him - and This Is It shows the, to use an overused cliched word, magic that happens when they in fact do. (There's a great sequence in which Jackson, who knows who should be saving his voice, can't help himself even if he wanted to - song reference! - that showcases this to grand effect.)
Add in the stunning visuals of the short films made to accompany certain tracks (unlike a lot of musicians, This Is It shows Michael actually can act, knows how to craft and properly tell a story and has a great on-screen presence even when he isn't singing) and This Is It is more than a documentary/concert film; it's an on-screen legacy of a man who's legacy will never be forgotten.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
I haven't seen it - but AMEN!
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