Starring: Michael Jackson

Directed by: Kenny Ortega

Sony Pictures

The Official Site of This is It

Discuss This is It on the boards!

This Is It opens with a pack of start struck dancers stuttering through tears about their love and respect for a man that has inspired them for their entire lives. They’re shaken and overwhelmed not at his untimely death (which would happen months later and reduce an epic farewell concert into a humble behind-the-scenes documentary) but at the opportunity to meet, dance for and potential dance with the King of Pop in his grand finale.

That’s the kind of effect that Michael Jackson’s music and dancing had on people and you can only imagine what those inspired young kids were overwhelmed with once Jackson actually passed away. The film is wise not to dwell on his death letting instead his music and passion speak for itself. So much more can be said with a lyric and a spin than grim archival news coverage.

“This Is It� was intended to be Michael’s last tour. The final curtain call on a legendary career. His way of saying goodbye to the fans that he loved so much. The film, made up of rehearsal footage, documents the making of a show in which Michael rented out the Staples Center and brought in world-class talent to showcase his world-class catalog. All your favorite Jackson classics. One hit after another.

While the music is the featured item there is enough “making of� footage - including dancer casting, wardrobe designs, pyrotechnics testing (which is always fun) and pre-concert filming of footage to be used in a 3-D “Thriller� segment (that you just know would have been epic) - to make this more than just a 90-minute music video. But only just.

This Is It is even good enough to include the complications on set. Michael goes on at length about equipment feeling like someone jamming their fist into his ear. But he does so with, “L. O. V. E. Love.� That’s during a segment of Jackson 5 music, which I couldn’t help but toe-tap my way through. Even during the spots that Michael missed the lyrics on. Completely forgivable considering the ear fisting going on up there.

The most valuable footage is the kind that gives us a better idea of how Michael worked as an entertainer. With his involvement in every aspect it’s easy to misinterpret his enthusiasm as a case of “full blown control freak� but I’m sure if you asked any of the people involved they would speak not of his demands but of his passion. For the music, for the dance, of his need to put on an amazing show – Jackson was beyond dedicated.

This is why dancers, musicians… hell even the guy sweeping up in the back of the auditorium, are all in awe of Michael and eager to learn something from him. I’m not sure that Michael could have helped the janitor make the floor any cleaner but he could have at least taught him how to move that broom with a little style.

It becomes clear quickly that Michael is moving at half speed, not wanting to wreck his voice or legs before show time. He sounds great and effortlessly kick-spins through complex choreography keeping up fine with the eager young talent around him… but I couldn’t help but get the feeling that we were a stadium full of people short of him unleashing some sort of monstrous maneuver to properly blow our minds. Let’s be honest with ourselves though - “Billy Jean� even at half speed is still ten times better than pretty much anything you’re going to hear on the radio these days.

Even in “practice mode� The music is as powerful as ever and the peek behind the curtain is an invaluable perspective of a legend for all times. It may not be the grandest way to remember a guy that made us afraid of Pepsi and invented new ways to walk backwards but this is not just a money grab. This is what a lot of people needed to properly say goodbye.

Jackson passed a week before the first full dress rehearsal in London so we never get to see This Is It as intended but some numbers come closer than others. “Thriller� and “Smooth Criminal� have entire vignettes pre-filmed and featured in the doc but there are other noticeably bare.

This Is It was a surprise hit last fall pulling in over 70 million domestically and nearly 260 million worldwide. Not bad for footage intended for a private collection. This didn't shock me so much. Michael was beloved and people wanted to say goodbye.

I am slightly surprised that it's getting as much attention on DVD. It's been the number one seller for the past couple weeks at Amazon.com even though it only hit shelves this past Tuesday. Amazon usually runs some great deals but people have been snatching this up at full price and I guess I'm shocked because there's a huge difference between checking something out in theaters and paying to own if. Especially with something like this that will have an incredibly low replay value at home. How many of these disks will be collecting dust as opposed to honoring the Man featured in them?

So yeah, it's a pass for me on DVD. I think I would get more play out of a collection of Jackson’s classic music videos. Let's see the icon iconically, not moving at half speed.

No part of me can dance but at some point or anther I became obsessed with the idea if dance offs and dance battles. Not in a "You Got Served" kind of way but more in a "this is the most ridiculous way to resolve anything" sort of way. It's like having a custody hearing come down to an arm wrestling competition. It's a little over the top.

Dancers are impressive. I'll watch someone like Jackson or the kids on So You Think You Can Dance and just be amazed by what they can do. I'm not so much a connoisseur of the classical methods as much as I am an admirer of the impossible. These people are defying gravity and moving their bodies at speeds and angles that shouldn't be achievable.

There are no lofty aspirations to someday do these things myself, I’m happy to be a spectator, but you have to admire someone with the audacity to prove a point through dance. It's the modern form of debate. Now clear the floor while my crew and I argue nature over nurture.

And yes... The Over the Top line was completely intentional.

Check out the latest Crappy movies Podcast for spoiler talk on last weeks release of Legion and be sure to tune in this weekend when we’ll argue over the return of Mel Gibson in Edge of Darkness. Thanks for swinging by.