Michael Jackson's "This Is It" Movie Review

Fans of Michael Jackson and music lovers worldwide had a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what could have been the entertainment concert of the decade. We had glimpses of Jackson as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning summer 2009 in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June 2009, the film drew from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show.

With all the hype leading since Jackson's death in June 09', the "Michael Jackson's This Is It" film was highly anticipated. But more so cause it contains the last footages of Jackson. Director Kenny Ortega, presents to the audience what the concert might have been. The Jacko fan, Wendy; secured tickets for the film on the opening day of ticket sale. She was ordering tickets at Newton Circus on a laptop and specially picked Cathy Grand as it was then the only cinema offering the film in digital. Good choice as the sound was crystal clear and picture quality, brilliant. What we thought would be tickets to grab turned out to rather lukewarm in SG ticket sales. The Cathy Grand cinemas had ample empty seats on the opening weekend evening we attended. It might have been a different story over in the States and very much expected, Sony announced it will extend the limited two-week run of the docu-movie for three more weeks in US theatres, through Thanksgiving.

I'd have to admit the docu-movie wasn't quite what I expected. I had hoped to experience a lot more behind the scenes footage on how the entire act was put together. There were a couple of great scenes in:




The marching sequence of "The Don't Really Care About Us" where green screen multiplied an army of soldiers






The old film composite of "Smooth Criminal"

and "Thriller" 3D. I didn't care about the multi-camera edited song and dance as much but they presented Jackson's choreography, precise, abrupt and perfectly-timed. One of my fav segments was actually when Jackson broke into a medley of The Jackson 5s' Motown numbers.


Crazy leg kick in an ending sequence of "Bad"

Somewhere through those high-energy dance moves, you'd suddenly remember Michael Jackson has hit his big 50. You can pretty much guess his after work drink was a certain cocktail of drugs.

"This Is It" is proof that it might have been a hell of a show.

Stay to the end of the credits for a couple of extra treats.

Read:
The last of Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)
Michael Jackson takes over the Internet
Michael Jackson Digital Memorial Program
Michael Jackson "This Is It" Movie Trailer

More Michael Jackson "This Is It" Movie Stills