This Is It (2009)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

or only a great testimony about a total artist. because the virtue of This Is It is not to discover but to understand. an entire career. the dedication, the ambition, the high professionalism, the care for each detail, the amazing energy, the essence of his life. it is the sketch of a show who remains only one of many if. in same measure, it is the necessary portrait of a symbol of the second half of XX century music. and the useful instrument for see him out of rumors, scandals, gossips. because the most important side of his life, the only part who must be known but the public, is reflected by this documentary. and it is far to be a revelation. only a sort of justice act. his legacy is his music. and the process to create it is the true authentic detail who define Michael Jackson.

Not that I doubted that it had, for a second...Like many millions of others, of different generations, I grew up mesmerized by the phenomenon that is M.J. I was 5 or 6 years old when I saw a performance from the dangerous tour broadcast live on T.V. I remember being perplexed at as to why there were thousands upon thousands of people going absolutely crazy for a man stood solo on a stage, doing absolutely nothing but gazing into the crowd, frozen to the spot, for a good 4 minutes. I was hooked.Fast forward almost 17 years, after a long hiatus (understandably), Me and my mates were almost as excited as we were at the prospect of losing our virginities, M.J was back! and we would get to see him live in our country!Alas, it wasn't to be, instead we were 'treated' to this, a melancholy insight into what might have been. Thank god the cameras were rolling though, because without this film, we would have been left wondering whether Michael still 'had it', this footage shows he did.If you're expecting a performance reminiscent of his late 80's/early 90's heyday then you will be disappointed...the man was 50 years old, dependent upon painkillers and of ill health (as it would transpire, more serious than anyone thought.) but he still shows flashes of brilliance. One scene in particular where he allows his performing instinct to overcome his modesty, leaving dozens of much younger backing dancers and crew in awe, will give you chills. Or scenes where he takes command, showing the starstruck backing dancers how it's done, how he wants it to be. Although the dancing throughout most of it might be a little rigid and out of sorts (having said that, it's no secret that Mike only performs at half speed in rehearsals anyway), the voice never falters, not once.We are treated to an M.J acapella numerous times during this film, and it's all live and pitch perfect. I hope this isn't classed as a spoiler, because it hardly gives away any important plot points, but the duet he sings with a talented young female, 'I just cant stop loving you', shows that, vocally, he still stands way out above any other live performer, and he manages to have a little fun with it at the end of the song, it's just beautiful to watch, and to see the girls reaction to his improv. We see quite a bit of Kenny Ortega, who, while encouraging Michael and applauding his performances, seems a little emphatic, in the sense that he seems to think he's the one directing the whole thing and his voice can be heard throughout, barking orders and such. I don't know, maybe M.J felt like he needed some direction at this point, but he he seems to be swayed by most of Kenny's suggestions.Anyway, this footage is a must see for fans, it was filmed on the 23rd and 24th June 2009 (according to Jermaine's autobiography, AEG have said it was the two weeks prior to the 25th), His last few days of life. Enjoy, be bedazzled by the man who inspired your pathetic moonwalk attempt at your high school leavers ball, just one last time...

It's the spring of 2009 and Michael Jackson is organizing a new concert. However on June 25th and 8 days from traveling to London to begin final dress rehearsals, he is found dead. The movie starts on April 15 with interviews with the dancers. It goes back to the dance auditions, the planning, the construction and most importantly Michael Jackson performing in rehearsals. What's missing is some in-depth interviews with Jackson. He's the only person that truly matters. It's nice to see the young dancers get emotional but it's Jackson that is historically important. Jackson does speak as he directs everybody. He is sharp and on the ball. His performances are always present. It is interesting that he's always in charge. It's basically behind-the-scene footage and it's good on those terms. This is for the fans and there are plenty fans around. The other missing element is post-Jackson. It would be compelling to have everybody's reaction to his death. Although I understand the idea of this as positive memory.

In a way, Kenny Ortega's "Michael Jackson's This is It" is more interesting for what it ISN'T than for what it is. What it ISN'T is a documentary account of the life, career and death of Mr. Jackson, inevitably colored by the personal viewpoints and biases of its maker. In fact, but for the cruel hand of Fate, "This is It" shouldn't even exist as a movie at all. The behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson and his crew mounting their elaborate, effects-laden worldwide tour scheduled for summer 2009 - his first in over ten years - was initially intended only for Jackson's own personal library. Instead, that footage has become a moving elegy for the self-proclaimed King of Pop, who died tragically on June 25, 2009, at the unripe young age of 50. Wisely, there are no post-mortem interviews or commentary included in the film. The performers all speak of him in the present tense, excited at the prospect of being a part of what is clearly an experience of a lifetime for any musician, dancer or singer fortunate enough to be a part of the show. That their dreams never really came to fruition is what gives the film a depth and poignancy that goes beyond simply the loss of Jackson. Indeed, watching this film is a bit like experiencing how the gods must feel, looking down upon us mere mortals as we go about our daily lives secure in the naïve belief that we will live forever, blithely unaware of what the future actually has in store for us. As to Jackson himself, he emerges as energetic and deeply engaged in the creative process, no more petulant or demanding than your average multi-talented, legendary superstar - one who actually had talent, by the way, celebrated for his songwriting and choreography as well as for his singing and dancing. And, of course, the music itself is irresistible and timeless.It's a bittersweet experience watching this film, not only because of what happened to Michael but because of all the time and energy displayed by these hardworking individuals that would eventually come to naught. The small compensation is the existence of this film that captures not just for us but for generations yet unborn the creative and performing genius of Michael that will endure through time.Who knows, but someday someone will make a warts-and-all biography of Michael Jackson that will attempt to knock the king off his throne. But "This is It" ain't that movie.