This is It (Sony/Columbia)
Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images.
(Documentary)
Starring Michael Jackson
Directed by Kenny Ortega
GRADE: B
REVIEW:In case you haven't heard, Michael Jackson is dead, but that doesn't mean he's stopped entertaining. He was supposed to embark on a huge sold-out world tour when his heart stopped due to an overdose of medication. A lot of work and preparation from a lot of talented people seemed wasted until the tour producers realized they had several hours of video and film footage of rehearsals featuring Jackson and his hand-picked team of dancers, musicians and production crew. Kenny Ortega, director of the stage production used the rehearsal footage to compile a documentary of Jackson's last days called
This is It.
To be sure, it's a little unsettling to see Jackson again in the flesh, so energetic and hopeful that his comeback after so many years of scandal and legal troubles in hi personal life, unaware of his impending fate. The people surrounding the 'King of Pop' are also unaware that their hopes and dreams of joining Jackson on stage will soon be jerked away, and the film begins as the lucky members of the
This is It tour tearfully look into the camera to say how Jackson inspired their lives and how grateful they are to reach such a pinnacle of show business success.
The rest of the film segues from one famous Jackson song to another with MJ dancing, choreographing and singing before an empty southern California arena. The raw performances are sometimes thrilling, but are more frequently half-efforts from Jackson, who is occasionally excuses himself for holding back and saving his voice for the real thing. It also seems as though he is also saving his best dance moves for the real performances as well.
Some of the best moments in
This is It are the filmed segments, produced for the stage show as background for the musical numbers, like a new version of the horror freak show in Jackson's famous
Thriller video. Another segment uses scenes from classic black and white movies featuring the likes of Rita Hayworth, Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart, with Jackson acting and dancing alongside the old stars with help of few special effects.
For the most part, I'd have to say Ortega (best known for his direction of all three
High School Musical films) did the best he could using the raw rehearsal footage to make what seems like a concert film, but the more interesting parts of
This is It happen between songs, as Jackson collaborates to to create his spectacle. Some of the songs seem too drawn out for a movie, and might be better suited for an actual live performance in front of thousands of screaming fans.
Some of the most uncomfortable moments in
This is It happen when Jackson tries some freestyle interaction with some of the performers during the musical numbers that seem unnatural and a little spastic, even for Jackson.
I have to admit,
This is It offers a rare glimpse of Michael Jackson as a man with a warm, if not eccentric personality. His interactions with cast members are mostly gracious and supportive, although there are times when his weird way of expressing himself made me cringe, like the time when he tells Ortega the playback in his ear piece feels like "...a fist is being shoved in [his] ear," when all he means to say is, "Turn it down a little."
There are other odd moments, like the film intro for a sentimental environmental song with its heavy-handed imagery of a child being engulfed by a bulldozer as she frolics in a rain forest. Yeah, I get it. Jackson cared about the environment.
There another weird speech given by Jackson in front of cast members where he apparently takes a swipe at George W. Bush, suggesting the next four Obama years will magically save the rain forests. Whatever.
I wouldn't recommend
This is It for everyone, although there are fleeting moments when Jackson's genius for showmanship shine through. Even for the most devoted fans,
This is It will leave most wanting for more than just a rehearsal.
