This is It, the behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for Michael Jackson’s upcoming tour, is only going to be out for another week, so run to the theater to see it.
This is It (Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega) – If Michael Jackson had lived to perform his comeback concerts in London, this film still would have been a blockbuster. The fact that he died days before dress rehearsals makes this film compelling theater. It is truly the public’s last look at a musical icon, cultural phenomenon, and an off-the-deep-end disturbed man. None of that matters to his multi-millions of fans. And it won’t matter to any viewer of this film. Jackson comes off as still an amazingly talented dancer, singer, and choreographer. He appears to deeply care about his cast, his crew, the planet Earth, and all of the details of his last public appearances. You can’t believe watching that this man-child lived in constant pain or that he suffered from perpetual insomnia and, apparently, drug addictions to pain killers and more. For those who love his music, you will hear all of his major hits. You will also see an incredibly talented cast of dancers, singers and musicians, all of whom are honored and humbled to be in the presence of what they consider greatness. They seem to raise their level of performance because they occupy the same stage as the King of Pop (it reminds me a little of the Minnesota Vikings playing with Brett Favre). While I always enjoyed his music, I must admit watching this in awe, like I was listening to the last readings of Orson Welles or seeing Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond. Somehow, I think that if we knew John Kennedy were going to die in Dallas that day, we would have listened to his speech that morning in Ft. Worth in a different way. Same with watching and listening to Michael Jackson in This Is It. The genius behind the concerts themselves and the movie, too, is Director Kenny Ortega, director of all of the High School Musical movies and lots of television shows. We see him indulging Jackson and leading the work behind the scenes. There could be an Oscar nomination for Best Director in this and there is some talk already about a Best Picture nod. The film is only supposed to be released for two