This Is It

No one has any apology to make about this wonderful documentary, least of all Kenny Ortega. When I heard he intended to take "rehearsal" footage of the "This Is It" tour and market it as a film, I assumed it was an attempt to recoup the investment made in the project. Who could have guessed that this film would stand on its own and also enter the echelons of the "best" documentaries about rock music ever made? No less, Michael Jackson reveals more about himself in this footage than we've ever seen before. It's his premiere moment on film, and I would guess he would not have wanted it shown only because we see—for the first time—Jackson without a mask. I won't attempt to characterize this complicated, insanely talented, person, but basically he's painfully shy. And he excelled at one of the most public vocations there is: performing.

What's interesting about the footage is that it exists at all. But since concerts today use video projection for the large venues where they play, it was natural to include the cameras during the rehearsal period. And it's riveting! Nothing is ever less than compelling in large part due to the level of talent in all quarters. The dancers, the musicians, the back-up singers, sets, costumes…it's a parade of the best of the best. While Jackson is the center of all of this, if you don't care for him, there's plenty of other things to look at and enjoy.

Any sadness is brought by the viewer. There's not one nod to Jackson's demise or when it occurs. He looks thin, but even in a rehearsal mode, he's electrifying, and I think that's why the film works. We're not at some huge arena (for which the concert was conceived) with 10,000 screaming fans. And rather than missing that electricity, we get intimate performances of familiar Jackson material. But it's re-imagined and you never know what's coming next.

An alert: there is footage throughout the final credit sequence and after the credits end. And if you can, see it in a DP theater...for the sound alone. An amazing experience!

There are a lot of reviews here from Michael Jackson fans, but I figured I'd offer a different viewpoint--from someone who's not a fan, even somewhat cynical toward the MJ phenomenon in general.

I thought I would hate it, twice declined buying the DVD even though it was only $4 (go to your local Blockbuster used pile. There's still a ton left) before finally deciding heck with it, I'll give it a shot.

I was blown away.

Let me say up front I'm more a fan of classic rock leaning toward the heavy side (Sabbath, Zeppelin, etc) and although I grew up right in the middle of MJ's popularity explosion, I never crossed over.

This movie caught me immediately because it doesn't take the "Michael Jackson is the best thing ever" attitude that I had feared, but instead it's a somewhat humble approach which focuses not entirely on MJ but instead on the people he affected. In the first 5 minutes we get some pretty moving testimonials from dancers & performers whose lives were changed (saved?) by Michael's music. And with that in mind, even if you aren't a fan of his music yourself, you have to respect the fact that his music connected with so many people in such a powerful & positive way.

From there we start to see the rehearsals and behind-the-scenes stuff regarding the ill-fated "This Is It Tour". It left no doubt in my mind that this truly would have been the greatest concert production ever seen on planet earth. Yeah, watching lasers & giant inflatable pigs at a Pink Floyd concert is one thing, but MJ's This Is It Tour was set to have 60-ft-tall, panoramic, IMAX-type video screens, giant transformer robots, bulldozers, human cannonballs launching from under the stage, the world's best (and hottest) dancers, and not to mention the singing, dancing & moonwalking of one of the greatest pop stars in history. PT Barnum eat your heart out.

The movie also features several videos that were to be shown at the live show, and these were also quite a treat. Interspersed with Michael's own comments on what he had hoped to accomplish, it takes on a bittersweet, tragic-yet-inspiring vibe, particularly when you realize how socially & environmentally conscious Michael was. Though the film didn't dwell on it, we can see that he was a person tortured by the problems of humankind and doing everything in his power to fix it, by inspiring people in a positive way. And that's when I realized that, yes, all of his songs carried powerful, world-shaping messages beneath those slick dance moves.

The performances are captivating, the musicianship (from both Michael & his band) is meticulous & passionate, and I found myself suddenly liking the music which I had ignored for 20 years. One song almost had me in tears, and let me tell you I don't cry easy (I thought Platoon was a comedy).

I think every human being owes it to himself/herself to check out this video to be reminded that even bizarre, eccentric pop stars serve a purpose in this world. And who better to learn from than the most successful one that ever lived? Despite the tragedy of MJ's life, this is one of the most inspiring musical documentaries I've ever seen. Even if you're not a MJ fan, I guarantee you'll become one for at least 2 hours as you watch this film. Rock on \m/

This was a clear view into the intergral preperation of a concert by a complete genius. I was never a Michael Jackson fan, however, my wife was and since she was desperate to see the film I decided to accompany her. I was astounded. I could not believe this man in the film was the same person that is was always hounded by the press and made to look like the devil. He was by no means weird, ill health, or a drug user. If he was, he masked it very well. The film shows us what we are missing as far as the concert goes and what a pity, it would have been amazing! He seemed at ease, and so happy and normal while on stage, as if it was built to be his. You would never believe this was the ''freak'' that the world perceived him to be. Shame on those people. Genius at work, a perfectionist down the smallest detail and I think the film has captured this very well. What I liked a lot was the fact that the film was not concentrating on his death and tradegy, but solely on his concert, his music, and his geniality and it was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our times. So I would urge anyone who has had any miss conceptions about the man to go see this, you like me will more than likely change your views on the man. RIP

My wife asked me to see this movie tonight as sort of a preview,to let her know if we should see it together on our day off.As we are both Michael Jackson fans,I would have to give an emphatic "YES" to that.I was really apprehensive,since I thought that it would just be some rehearsals with tons of filler(biographical info,etc),but most of the numbers were pretty fleshed out,music and choreography wise.Some of the special effects were amazing,and I really liked the extended intro of "The Way You Make Me Feel".I liked the way they tried to make the film feel like a performance,rather than a eulogy.The talent,from the dancers to the musicians to the lighting and effects crew were just first rate all the way.I thought beforehand that this might be just a cynical cash grab-one more trip to the ATM from Michaels legacy,but honestly,I think they may just be trying to recoup some of the enormous costs of putting on a show that never came to fruition.And if some of us fans can enjoy seeing MJ one more time in such a classy way,Im all for it.

Just came back from screening of this movie.

I went with very low expectation but it was really great movie. Lots of MJ songs and practice sessions.

His female guitarist was out of the world, simply superb.

I wish they had shown or MJ has performed some more of his stunts (moon walk, dance stunts etc etc)... so deducted 1 star for this...

MJ was so humble, I dint expect that from such a big start... I m really impressed with his behavior towards his troop :) I m not a big MJ fan.. and I was totally amazed by editing and quality of movie... I m pretty sure MJ fans would love this....

Hats off to MJ ... RIP....