Michael Jackson’s This Is It

OPENING: 10/28/2009

STUDIO: Columbia Pictures

RUN TIME: 111 min

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

The Charge
Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before

Opening Statement
This is the unintentional swan song by Michael Jackson that showed his pure musical genius and left me wanting more.

Facts of the Case
This Is It is the rehearsal footage for what would have been Michael Jackson’s 2009 summer tour. Director Kenny Ortega constructs a vision of what the concert would have been like, were it not for Jackson’s untimely death in early 2009. The film starts with the process of auditioning the dancing team for the tour and quickly moves right into the music. The 111 minute run time takes us through a good portion of the songs that would have been played, everything from a Jackson 5 medley to twenty-five years of solo career hits.

The Evidence
Kenny Ortega gives us a rare and truly fascinating glimpse into a musical wonder, creating a spectacular concert event. His goal was clear and intentional: to show Michael Jackson working on his music. Hours upon hours of rehearsal footage were sifted through, to assemble a presentation of all the greats — “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Jam,” and more — and witness the stage show surrounding each.

Nowhere else have we seen Michael Jackson working out vocal parts or choreographing routines to this extent, and I found his work ethic absolutely fascinating. Michael knew exactly what he wanted his music to look and sound like, as he had every measure envisioned in his mind, his ear completely tuned to everything going on with the band. If he wanted a cymbal hit at a certain point and didn’t get it, he would make sure to let the drummer know (in a loving way) what he needed.

This Is It does little delving into Michael’s personal life, as anyone with a TV knows the media circus that surrounded most of his life. The only glimpse is drawn from the way people act around him. It’s clear the producer and much of the talent realize they are working with a sensitive individual. Much attention is paid to the way Michael is addressed and treated, and most people are reserved so as not to upset him in any way. They also fully realize he is running the show and will eventually get everything how he wants it. Michael may have been a drama queen, but when anyone possesses such a valuable talent, he or she is allowed to be.

The film has several high points, one of which is watching Michael practice “Human Nature” a cappella. His voice was so pure and unique that those brief minutes show just how much control and understanding he had of his instrument. Michael knew exactly what his voice was capable of and how to use it flawlessly. Another high point revolves around the song “Thriller” and the extravagant 3D presentation the audience would have seen, with Ortega showing us the creation of a cemetery and zombie sequence that was to have played in the background. Michael understood concert experience was as important as the music, and this would have been amazing to see live.

Unfortunately, the low point of the film is “Earth Song,” a heavy handed display of how we are destroying our planet. Here we would have been shown a film of a little girl walking in the forest, at one with the creatures and totally at peace. Suddenly, a row of bulldozers come into view plowing down trees and endangering the little girl. This almost rivals Avatar, in its ability to nauseate with over the top imagery and cornball storytelling. Thankfully, this sequence lasted maybe seven minutes, whereas Cameron’s film dragged for a grueling two and a half hours more. I wasn’t the only one bored, though. Several families chose this point to exit the theater, as even their kids became exceptionally restless.

With only one misstep in the film, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness for the loss of Michael Jackson, when the credits were finished. Although his life had plenty of questionable aspects, he was an unquestionable genius at his craft. I’m sure, at some point, a record company will release lost tracks by the King of Pop to make an easy buck. But for now, This Is It.

Closing Statement
For those interested in seeing the processes of a musical perfectionist, I can’t recommend This Is It highly enough. Ortega does Michael Jackson a great service, by giving the public a glimpse of Michael doing what he loved to do in his final days.

The Verdict
8/10