Michael Jackson's This Is It
The posthumous Michael Jackson's This Is It, a documentary-ish film detailing rehearsals for the King of Pop's not-to-be comeback concert series, appeared amid a storm of controversy: fans decried what they saw as "shameless profiteering" by AEG Live and Sony Pictures; the Jackson family protested the movie's release.
Michael's sister Latoya was incensed that the film consisted of rehearsal footage, saying that: "[Michael] wants people to see him at the top of the ladder and not half-stepping because he doesn't want to do a full-out rehearsal." Sad but true: it's obvious that MJ isn't giving his best on film; his dancers and back-up singers outshine him.
Still, This Is It is compelling for its insider's look into how such a massive concert is put together: dancers' auditions, costume design, technical hitches in the stage effects, sound-checks. I was impressed with how much the star got himself involved with every aspect of the show: telling his stage cast to "Let it simmer."
Also nice is seeing video footage that would have been used for the concert proper: CGI sequences specially created to run with "Thriller", "The Way You Make Me Feel", and "Smooth Criminal" - that first one, in which director Kenny Ortega remade scenes of zombies rising from their graves, is particularly good.
In the end, despite the brouhaha, This Is It is really for the fans: nothing will bring the star back - but his music will live on.
Cast Michael Jackson, et al Director Kenny Ortega Runtime 112 mins Opens 28 October
Text Angelene Tang
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2 COMMENTS
I fully agree with your review and La Toya - Michael would not want anything less than 100% to be presented to the public. Bloody shameless exploitation by AEG.
Love the movie!!! Watched it twice already. Hopefully his message of peace and love lives forever though his music. MJ put his soul in his work, his dancing is still No.1. MJ rox!!!
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