This, of course, is not it.
This Is It, the documentary of rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s never-to-be “This Is It” concerts in London, is accompanied by a single of that same name and a soundtrack CD. Sony, which paid $60M for the film, will no doubt rush out a deluxe DVD set, and there’ll be more MJ footage (there, were, after all, some 120 hours available just from the rehearsals) for months, years and ages to come.
That’s showbiz reality, and so critics have greeted this film with ramped-up cynicism, charging exploitation, poor production values, overprotection of Jackson (too few close-ups of his oft-doctored facial features; too much holding back on singing full-out), no journalistic coverage of his death and the attendant questions about drug usage; and on and on.
But This Is It is not 60 Minutes. It is, as an opening title message says, “for the fans.” And on that level, it’s a very well-made, satisfying, and, most importantly, entertaining film. Yes, it was produced quickly — Jackson died only four months before the opening of the movie — but director Kenny Ortega, the choreographer who had supervised the rehearsals at the Staples Center in L.A., did a stellar job putting together a film that takes fans behind the scenes.
In fact, it’s pretty obvious that, given the amount of available footage, shot over several days, that the rehearsals were being recorded for more than Michael’s review.
For all the talk about it being just a quick money making scheme, and based on rehearsal footage… And I thought it’d just be for Michael Jackson’s most fanatical fans. But no. It’s really well put together, and it appears the rehearsals were being filmed for a future documentary anyway — maybe to serve as bonus features on a DVD. Michael wore various outfits, from casual jacket and slacks to his quasi-military stage gear. He ran through all his greatest hits, he had dancers, singers and a full band behind him, they performed with full choreography, and lighting and special effects, including CGI tricks and some dazzling videos. You get close to a whole show. And yes, there were moments when he lightened up on himself, especially vocally. But on dance numbers, he was sharp, energetic and precise. His far younger dancers were in awe. He was engaged in the rehearsals; on top of minute musical details. There was no real sign that he was in poor health. Quincy Jones has told me how driven Jackson was about getting things right. He apparently never changed.
This Is It took me back to the days when I got to watch bands’ rehearsals and sound checks. They were sometimes more interesting and illuminating than the final, polished onstage product. Here, you get a little of both. “It’s an adventure,” Jackson told his assembled crew at film’s end. “Give your all.” Tragically, they didn’t get their chance to do so, but Michael Jackson certainly did.
4 Comments
I finally made it to the theater this afternoon. I was worried that if I saw this film it would bring up those deep feelings of loss felt at the time of his death and funeral. I knew I would fall apart during the screening but I also knew I just had to go. Well it’s everything I thought it would be and more and I plan to go again. It’s amazing how well this doc is put together and the rehearsals only prove what an incredible artist the world has lost. It’s so emotional and yet stunningly beautiful to watch this guy work. Those concerts in London were really going to be the performances of his life and would have set the bar so high I doubt others could ever reach. The film totally proves that many of those sensationalized media stories and reports were wrong about his condition towards the end. At one point in the film he was pretty tweaked but his love and genius shines through and will live forever. Thanks MJ!
I grew up thru the same time line as m.j.we are mos. apart in age.despite all the drama{lifestyle,plastic surgery,family dynamics]like him or not,we are aware,affected&influanced by his talent.he was not JUST an entertainer,dancer,top 40 singer…media phenomenon.He was Michael Jackson an extrordinary musician/artist with so much to give.My prayers,condolences&best wishes to his Family&fans. GTRZAN :.{
Michael Jackson was a talented wealthy child molester.Why celebrate the life of
a man who has ruined the lives of children?
Without his $20,000,000 out of court settlement to the family of he boy he molested,he would still be in jail,probably alive.
I don’t miss him.
I think that all you who do miss him should think more about what he was and
what he did.
Money does not cure all wounds.
Amnesia rules.
Funny how the openness of the rehearsals and sound checks that allude to an “authenticity” can actually be discussed when it comes to any MJ production/happening (pre or post death). If it does give that impression, it would be one that MJ would have welcomed…if not orchestrated.
$60 Million trumps 60 minutes. One would expect this to be a grandiose PR film to leave good feeling in the hearts & minds of the “Kind-Of-Fans” and curiosity seekers (versus the true MJ believers) so they open their wallets.
(I’m talking out of school on this…I haven’t seen it and probably won’t)
I trust your feeling to be true, Ben. Jackson may have been aiming specifically for that. But now that he is gone, his legacy handlers will ring every last cent out of this product, versus emphasizing the integrity of the artist that is buried deep beneath the surgery and media scars.