Movie Review - This Is It

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Perhaps it easiest to start by describing what This Is It, the new Michael Jackson concert film, is NOT, rather than by describing what it is.  It’s not an expose nor is it an apology or an attempt to expunge the national consciousness of his alleged crimes.  In fact, it’s not about Michael Jackson “the man” at all.  It is, instead, exactly what it purports to be: a concert film hobbled to together out of rehearsal footage for what was to be his final concert tour (though how many times have artists claimed that?).  Directed by Kenny Ortega, Jackson’s long time choreographer and concert director, the film astutely avoids any mention of Jackson’s personal life, legal troubles or financial woes.  He spares us the sycophantic ramblings of celebrities and hangers-on.  We do get a bit of effusive praise from his dancers but, having been presumably recorded before his death: it feels much more genuine than any of the posthumous award show testimonials from people that had largely shunned him in his later years. 

Since the film is constructed from rehearsal footage, no effort is made toward continuity, nor could there be.  Jackson is seen in multiple outfits during each “performance.”  They used the best available vocal track, so sometimes the lip-synching is a little out of phase.  What’s most remarkable is how healthy he looks.  Jackson appears thin but not frail.  He’s singing abilities are most definitely intact and he still possesses all but his most strenuous dance moves.  And, unlike most singer/dancers of today, he apparently had no intention of lip-synching or “singing to track,” a process in which a performer sings along with a prerecorded vocal track in the event they need to catch their breath.  There is the occasional missed word or forgotten line, this is rehearsal after all, but not once do we hear a “guide track” pick up the slack.  Due to his sudden and unexpected death, the film will no doubt be examined for “clues” frame-by-frame, like the Zapruder film or a celebrity sex tape.  But on a first pass, I saw nothing but a man of extraordinary talent who appeared to be building quite possibly the greatest pop concert of all time. 

While the concert tour was felt by many to be a cash-grab by a bankrupt, fading superstar (and, yes, you can put me in that camp); that’s clearly not the show he was constructing.  While he could have allowed the younger dancers to do the heavy lifting while he belted out the hits, he clearly had no intention of doing so.  This show was to be an amazingly choreographed, high-energy spectacle with stunning set pieces.  The promoters had allegedly spent $30 million just on concert production in what was to have been the most expensive arena shows in history.  And you can see every nickel of it on that stage.  Yet even with all the over-the-top set pieces some of the most enthralling moments are simply Jackson on-stage, working out a number.  Jackson had spent so many years as fodder for either headlines or punch lines that it’s easy to forget just why he was a star.  This film will remind you.

Even before his controversies, I never considered myself a fan.  While he’s astonishingly talented, I’m more of “rock” guy.  But This Is It stands as a testament to the man’s gifts.  Ortega presents us with a Jackson that the public rarely saw: normal.  (Or as normal as any celebrity of his magnitude could be.)  He was noticeably hands-on with the concert’s creations.  And every suggestion he makes or change that he calls for improves the show.  He’s not being weird for the sake of weirdness, as is so often thought of him.  He’s not asking to be flown in on a llama or wear a hat made out of cheese.  He wants to hold for an extra beat or make a bass line a little “funkier”…you know, the sort of things a responsible artist would do. 

However, as the film progresses some of the numbers become decidedly less ambitious.  Had he bitten off more than he could chew?  Or did he simply need some “cool down” numbers in order to catch his breath?  My guess would be a little from column “A” and a little from column “B.”  But there are wonderful sequences filmed to be shown during his live performances.  He is digitally inserted into old Warner Brothers gangster films for “Smooth Criminal,” where he is seen shooting it out with Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney.  And there’s new footage filmed for what would have been a 3D “Thriller” segment.  It’s a spectacular scene that serves as both an homage to the original and, interestingly, to Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. 

The film does drag a bit towards the end, especially an overly long portion devoted to “Earth Song.”  (Though admittedly, it was huge hit in England, where the tour was to have begun.)  Ultimately, the film is a monument to one man’s talent.  (I’ll leave the discussion as to whether he deserves a monument for another day.)  It’s a rousing film-going experience that will have audiences applauding after each number, all but forgetting that they’re even in a movie theater.  If this was the rehearsal footage…good God, what would the actual concerts have been like?

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being The Last Waltz and 1 being The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, This Is It gets a 9.

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