Movie Review: This Is It

Michael Jackson's This Is It elicited strongly conflicting emotions as I watched a screening this week.

On the one hand:

How can you not be captivated by this close-up immersion in Jackson's astonishing talent - as a singer, a dancer, a creator of music that is part of our permanent soundtrack?

This patchwork version of his projected concert hints at what his farewell stand in London might have been like, had he lived. (And did anyone really believe that he would hang up the dancing shoes after this?)

It shows an artist whose work is forever embedded in the culture, an expressive singer with amazing range - and a dancer who seemed to invent new moves even when he was standing still. Watching him perform choreographed steps or improvise what seem like instantly invented styles of movement is an inexpressible feast for the eyes. It's a shame that the cameramen, filming in both high-def and low-def for Jackson's own consumption, weren't shooting for real, though the footage is often dazzling and the sound is top-notch.

It also shows an artist seemingly near the peak of his powers and decidedly in his element. The impression is of a stops-out spectacle in the making, one that would survey his entire career while expanding upon it, conjured by someone fully convinced of his own ability to create magic by sheer will and imagination

On the other hand:

Watching This Is It reveals so much about Michael Jackson as a human being: his quiet perfectionism, performance eccentricities and signatures - and the fact that there appeared to be no one in his world - from the lowliest dancer to his partner in creating this show, Kenny Ortega (who gets directing credit for this film) - who was willing to say no to him about anything.

Obviously, Jackson was a genius who didn't need people second-guessing his vision. On the other hand, the impression here is that his entourage and hangers-on had long ago crossed the line between support and sycophantism.

Continued...

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Comments

[LouisLouis]

I really really really loved this film. I was really surprised to see how energetic MJ was, his dancing, singing, everything, even at 70% was awesome.

I was on the brink of tears for most of this movie, but for some reason, when he sang Billie Jean, I lost it.

[rsprags]

Part II:
Please for give the typos in Part I ;hit the key in error and as you know there is no edit functionality.
This intimate retrospective is beautiful and it was one of the best movie experiences ever. Family, friends and I bought additional tickets to see it on Sunday again at 4:00pm. My Family, friends, and I plan to see it in IMAX Theater next week. Michael was loving, coaching, correcting with love, calm, peaceful, happy, healthy (but thin )- the high dance routines explainsyou see why, vocalist perfect, dancing wow, musicially got it, innovation and creativity (other worldy).

This Is It Left you happy but wanting more MJ and well as the need to see Michael Vision being totally birth forth in some manner! WOW, WOW, FABULOUS, AND MJ SPEAKING FROM THE GRAVE TO SHUT DOWN HIS CRITICS ONCE AND FOR ALL!

[rsprags]

Michael was as wonderful and awesome in this movie, concert, theathrical performance, etc as any performance of anyking ever film. It was so upclose and intimate; it was joyful and it was sad at the same time; it makde you long for would never be; it answer a lot of question and eliminated all the 20 plus years of lies and ridicule; and the rest of the world got to see the MJ that his Children, Family, Friends, and the beloved fans have know some for over 40 plus years. MJ is pure love and peace; he is brillant artist genius and express, he is a man who loved the children, people and the planet; and he loved what he did and would have completed these 50 shows and been ready for other tour in other destination with similar type set-ups over the next decades. MJ was a master coach, mentor, empower, supporter of his crew, and he hand pick the best crew in the business and their conduct since his death is a testimony to MJ's brillance and artistry comes across in this movie as his talents and skills as a director, choreographer, producer, vocalist, dancer, film maker, humanitarian, perfectionist, muscian, engineer, designer, prophet, and anything else not listed.

[Killashandra]

I expected the worst. I was genuinely scared that this film would - like most other things in Michael's life that he had no control over - be a disappointment. Yes, Michael doesn't dance or sing full out, but he never has in previous rehearsals for other tours either. But to expect the film, or indeed the tour to be a return to the glory days of Bad or Dangerous is to expect too much - even from Michael. Because the truth is, Michael was no cheap addict trying to get high, he was a sensitive man with serious physical difficulties and a damaged psyche who couldn't sleep. But he was still prepared to come out and gig 50 dates. See the film, hate it if you want, but don't blame Michael for not being who he used to be. Look to Tom Sneddon and those who tore his spirit to shreds for over 15 years for that; the damage you see is their handiwork - and what was done should never ever be forgotten.

Our world's loss is incalculable.

[hoocheekoo]

Please visit www.mjtruthnow.com. It's a new, developing site and it's at least one effort to prevent what happened to Michael Jackson from ever happening again. I remember a time when our celebrities and entertainers were celebrated and not destroyed. Their privacy was respected so that they had a chance for a partly normal life. These people give so much of themselves to make our lives more pleasant and uplifting. There was a time when they were appreciated, not destroyed. I hear it so often in media interviews with entertainers. "The public has a right to know, you know..." They put them on a guilt trip. Well, no we don't. These people also have privacy rights and we don't need to know every move they make. The loss of Michael Jackson is the loss of a national treasure. We were denied the knowledge of his later work during the time he lived because he was so harrassed, he went overseas to perform. And we've now been denied his future work as well. The only creations that survive the ages are artistic creations. They're a product of our spirituality and sweat. They should be honored and protected. So should the people who give them to us.

[Killashandra]

I expected the worst. I was genuinely scared that this film would - like most other things in Michael's life that he had no control over - be a disappointment. Yes, Michael doesn't dance or sing full out, but he never has in previous rehearsals for other tours either. But to expect the film, or indeed the tour to be a return to the glory days of Bad or Dangerous is to expect too much - even from Michael. Because the truth is, Michael was no cheap addict trying to get high, he was a sensitive man with serious physical difficulties and a damaged psyche who couldn't sleep. But he was still prepared to come out and gig 50 dates. See the film, hate it if you want, but don't blame Michael for not being who he used to be. Look to Tom Sneddon and those who tore his spirit to shreds for over 15 years for that. The damage you see is their handiwork - and what was done should never ever be forgotten.

Our loss is incalculable.