"THIS IS IT" (2009) (Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega) (PG)
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QUICK TAKE:
Concert Film/Documentary: A chronicle of the preparations that went into Michael Jackson's 50-date concert series in London that would have happened had the pop star not died in June 2009.
PLOT:
Michael Jackson's This Is It" chronicles the weeks of auditions, planning and preparation that had been going into the pop star's 50-date concert series in London. The various, sold-out performances were intended to re-launch Jackson back into the public eye in a positive light; re-establish his brilliance as a singer, dancer, and performer; and (reportedly) get him out of debt.
The film features live performances of nearly a dozen classic MJ songs, complete with some tantalizing peeks into the pyrotechnics, stunts, and visual dynamics that had been planned for each tune. "Smooth Criminal," for instance, would have begun with Jackson having been digitally inserted into classic gangster movies and having to escape. "Thriller," meanwhile, would have featured an updated 3-D version of the original video, complete with Jackson dancing with a number of performers in heavy zombie and ghoul makeup.
OUR TAKE: 8 out of 10
Michael Jackson's "This Is It" is a performance piece, flat-out, and an incredibly entertaining one at that. If you are going to this film to see a frail pop star off his game, forgetting the words to his own songs, and failing to keep up with dancers and other performers half his age -- you're going to be sorely disappointed. The film features MJ on the top of his game, smooth as ever in his dance moves and a clear-headed field general who knew exactly what he wanted from himself and everyone around him on stage. And, yes, all at the age of 50.
"This Is It" is producer Kenny Ortega's attempt to salvage the weeks and weeks of planning, preparation and hard work that went into staging a series of 50 concerts in London intended to rejuvenate the King of Pop's dormant career. Jackson's untimely death in June scuttled the whole production, of course, and it's a real shame. From the extensive footage shown here, this was going to be an amazing production complete with fireworks; an updated, 3-D version of "Thriller;" and pitch-perfect live performances of everything from "Billie Jean" and "Human Nature" to "Jam" and "Man in the Mirror."
The film takes you from the announcement of the concerts to the auditions to the extensive rehearsals. "This Is It" not only ends up being a fitting tribute to Jackson the singer and performer, it also emerges as a showcase for some incredibly talented dancers, singers, musicians and other artists who were working their tails off to bring this show off. Watching the film, you'll definitely feel a bit choked up if you were a Jackson fan. But you will feel just as bad for these wide-eyed young performers (and a few cagey vets) who were so looking forward to being a part of something truly special.
Some will not even see this film on account of Jackson's past misdeeds involving children. Fair enough. Others will take issue with the film for being an over-glorification of Jackson minus any hint of temper, fatigue or conflict. Would it have been a better motion picture with footage of Michael getting oxygen, getting angry at his crew or showing self-doubt? Maybe.
But this is not intended to be a downer film in any way. And it's certainly not a hard-hitting exposé that dredges up the man's legal woes or attempts to get to the bottom of his plastic surgery debacles. It's just meant to dazzle, to entertain, and to celebrate artistry. On that level, it succeeds wildly and rates an 8 out of 10. (T. Durgin)
Reviewed October 27, 2009 / Posted October 28, 2009
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