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SYNOPSIS:
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts at London’s 02 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June 2009, this film was produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his planned final London shows.
MOVIE
REVIEW:
How do you review something like “This is It”? It’s not a concert film like “Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds” or “The Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience”, since technically it’s more a concert-in-progress. Neither is it a documentary on Michael Jackson, seeing as how it offers very little about the King of Pop. In fact, it was never even meant to be made, until MJ tragically died of a drug overdose one day that I dare say, left the world stunned in silence.
As you’ve probably heard, “This is It” was culled from more than 100 hours of backstage footage into what would have been a spectacular and awe-inspiring 50-date sell-out concert at London’s O2 arena. When news first broke after MJ’s death of this planned feature, many were cynical at the move, calling this no more than a money-making opportunity for concert producers The Michael Jackson Company and AEG Live.
We’ll probably never know what motivated the production of “This is It”, but here’s something we dare say- we’re proud and extremely grateful for what we have been able to see. Indeed, in recent years, the MJ who forever changed the face of music became better known for his off-stage exploits, including his infamous baby-dangling moment, allegations of child sexual abuse and rumours of financial woes. But watching “This is It”, one remembers the talented singer/songwriter/performer that enthralled audiences for years before his own personal life overshadowed his achievements.
Yes, many Singaporeans will remember his concert tour in Singapore back in 1993 when he proved his mettle as a musical icon and his last visit in 1996 when hordes of fans gathered outside Raffles Hotel for a glimpse of him. And in case you need a recap, MJ’s 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album ever, with his music videos of Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller among some of the best ever produced- not withstanding his out-of-this-world dance movies such as the robot and the moonwalk.
If there was any indication MJ is long past his prime, let those rumours forever be put to rest. The MJ we see on stage is a meticulous perfectionist who was personally involved in every aspect of his “This is It” concert, from its concept to its planning to its rehearsals. Never missing a pitch, MJ shows how intimately he knows each and every one of his songs and how powerful and unique his voice remains. But most of all, what we are left in awe of are the breathtaking dance moves that MJ exhibits on stage, showing little of his fifty-year old age aside from an obviously frailer frame.
Indeed, were it not for this movie, we would never have seen the artistic vision that MJ had for his concert, nor witnessed the consummate performer he was despite his hiatus. More than that, “This is It” also pays tribute (rightly) to the people who worked tirelessly with MJ- the dancers, the musicians, the choreographers and director Kenny Ortega himself. Yes, the film honours as much MJ the man, the musician and the legend as those without whom “This is It” would not have been possible.
And to cynics who once scoffed at this film, we have this to say- would you rather not have a glimpse of what MJ had been planning? Would you rather that MJ’s efforts in his last days here on earth be gone just like that? Because although we’d much rather not have it this way, this really is the King of Pop’s last hurrah- indeed, this really is it. It is with this regret that we embrace “This is It”, and thank MJ with our hearts for his music, his moves and his LOVE.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
The extras on this disc alone are a must-have for any self-professed MJ fan. Start off with the “Thriller” vignette, a 4-min short that reinvigorates the original short by John Landis in its own creepy, atmospheric way. Then move on to the “Smooth Criminal” vignette, a black and white 4-min short that features MJ digitally inserted into film noirs before MJ bursts out on stage in silhouette with his dancers. Together with this short, enjoy “Making Smooth Criminal”, a behind-the-scenes look at the efforts the production team took to search for usable footage as well as ensure that the newly shoot green screen footage would be consistent with that from its stock.
The main making-of documentary is the 40-min long “Staging the Return” which you can choose to watch in two parts. The first, “The Adventure Begins”, chronicles the start of “This is It”, from what MJ wanted to accomplish with this convert to how he put the team that came together to work on this. The second, “Beyond the Show”, looks at the backstage work that went into the making of “This is It”, without which it wouldn’t have been possible to stage this spectacle.
Three other featurettes round up the special features. “The Gloved One” looks at the costumes that were specially designed for MJ for the concert, including one for the song Billie Jean that had lights on the pants and the glove that could flash on command. “Memories of Michael” is a 16-min eulogy for MJ as people recall the wonderful experience they had working with MJ. Finally, “Auditions: Searching for the World’s Greatest Dancers” is a nice insight into the audition for the backup dancers that would accompany MJ- and let’s just say if you’re going to be sharing the stage with MJ, you’d better be good, damn good.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The theatrical feature contains both standard-def and high-def footage of his rehearsals. In general, the high-def footage looks excellent- the details are sharp and the colours are rich- especially so for the new shorts for “Thriller”, “Smooth Criminal” and “Earth Song” that were filmed specially for the concert. Because of how wonderfully vivid the high-def footage is presented, the standard-def footage does seem jarring and this contrast is magnified, rather than diminished, by the flawless visual transfer on this disc.
Just as perfect is the audio experience that this disc delivers. Presented in 5.1 audio, it faithfully reproduces each one of MJ’s tracks without any loss of detail. Yes, the bass is strong but more importantly, it renders the high notes just as impressively- especially significant given MJ’s powerful high-pitched voice. Next time you’re in the mood for MJ, just substitute your audio CD for this disc and you’d appreciate it even more.
MOVIE RATING:
(Like our previous reviewer, we would prefer not to rate this movie, for it just wouldn’t be fair)
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Gabriel Chong
Posted on 16 February 2010
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