Michael Jackson: This Is It
On June 25, 2009, the world lost the greatest entertainer of all time as he was preparing for what would have been a tour that would have launched a long sought after comeback. This Is It allows fans to take one last look at the man the world fell in love with and allows the world to see what would have probably been one of the most entertaining concert tours of the decade.
This film is not a documentary by any means but also not quite a concert film. Instead the public is given one last hurrah to see the man do what he does best: entertain. You would think being 50 years old, The King of Pop would have slowed down a bit. There is nothing stopping this man. On every song, he would just dance and move with the energy of a 5 year old child hyped up on pixie stix. It was as if the music was trying to escape from his body. At one point in the film during a sound check for Billy Jean, he left the dancers, the band, and the concert technicians floored after an improv dance sequence. From the moonwalk to the crotch grab, every move was iconic. His voice sounded just like the record. There are times in the movie where you can’t tell if its coming from him or an audio track but rest assured a majority of the singing you see in the film is coming straight out of him. To the point where during a sound check, he questioned the music choreographer why the band and he were not playing like the album because that’s what the fans expect.
Michael knew exactly what the fans expected and was going to give them much more than that. Throughout the film, you will see the spectacle that would have been. Each song tells a story ranging from a select few songs from his Jackson 5 days to his race equality driven pop-rock anthem Black Or White. To me, the highlight of the show would have been how they brought Thriller from the innovative music video to the stage. With a 3D video of ghouls rising from their graves and trying to claw at you playing in the background, fans would have enjoyed the live experience.
Unlike most films we review here, I am not going to make a suggestion on whether you should go see this or not. I am not even going to bother giving This Is It a score. You are probably thinking “WHAT’S THE POINT OF THIS REVIEW THEN!?!” Well reader, it’s to tell you about the experience. When Michael Jackson died, the world truly lost one of the greatest entertainers ever. This footage of the last months of his life showcased the gift he’s been sharing with the world since he was a child. The impact he had on dance and music was reflected in the performers around him as they themselves were handpicked by Michael but watched in awe when he stepped on the stage just like the rest of us.
I apologize for the lack of score or opinion of whether you should go watch the film. This isn’t a traditional film by any means. Considering the circumstances, it’s hard to come into the film and attempt to review it as a critic. I whole heartedly went into the film as a fan of a man who I idolized as a child. The day he died, like many, a piece of my childhood went away. This Is It is 100% for the fans. In his final months, he was planning to return to the stage with the same magic that he’s shared with us for decades.
5 Responses to “Michael Jackson: This Is It”
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NK Flickr!
i am already a great fan of Michael Jackson ever since i was just a little kid. i would really miss the King of Pop -
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Reading this gave me the shivers :O
Very well-written~ Good job :3
this was a great review. and i am not just saying this because MJ is the love of my life.
it was very well written and i liked that u did not give it a score. the movie was great. thanks for writting this =)
He was truly a musical genius. When I heard he died I felt I lost a friend in this world.
Michael Jackson would always be the best popstar ever. i love all his songs and his live concerts.
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