Even though "This Is It" is designed (at least by the studio) as a cash-in on the "King of Pop’s" heartbreaking death, the film itself is far from it.
This Is It (2009)
Directors: Kenny Ortega
Producers: Various
Writers: N/A
Features: Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images. Running Time: 112 Min. In U.S. theaters: Oct. 28, 2009.
Characters:
Michael Jackson ... Himself
Genre: Documentary
Review:
Reserve your tickets for "This Is It" at Fandango:
In theaters: October 28, 2009.
I can’t imagine being Kenny Ortega, tirelessly sitting in an editing bay compiling more than 80 hours of rehearsal footage with Michael Jackson just a few short weeks following his tragic, untimely death. Ortega and Jackson were longtime collaborators and great friends. Staring at his deceased friend every day for 10-16 hours a day while editing "This Is It," a film many will be quick to label "exploitative," was probably the very last thing Ortega wanted to do. But in order to free the film from the "exploitation" moniker, Ortega had to be the man to do it…so he did.
And even though the film is designed (at least by the studio) as a cash-in on the "King of Pop’s" heartbreaking death, the film itself is far from it. The picture is absent any post-mortem schmaltz. There’s nary a scene of mourning. We never see his crew crying over the deceased singer. Rather, "This Is It" is a testimony to the man and his craft -- a concert picture -- or rather a making-of a concert.
There’s no real narrative or driving factor here. There’s no final product. Even the footage presented is a combination of high-def and low-res camerawork. Judging from what’s on-screen, the concert was only perhaps 60-70 percent complete. Ideas are sprawled out all over -- many unfinished (like the 3-D video sequences). Costumes are far from ready, as well, and Michael has yet to perfect his role in the entire production, though he’s still just as agile as ever -- rapidly keeping up with his 30-year-younger backup dancers.
Ortega does a wonderful job presenting some of Michael’s classic songs while giving us an inside glimpse into the genius behind the songs, from the seeing MJ in action (dancing as perfectly as ever before) to witnessing the raw talent of his crew (seeing Australian guitarist Orianthi in action is a true highlight).
We see Michael laughing at silly jokes, chewing on a lollipop and having fun with his dancers. Michael easily beams the phrase "I love you guys" about a hundred times, constantly giving his crew the reassurance he himself did not have as a child. And Michael is always humble, holding back his anger over a flaw. Instead, he calmly attempts to criticize without complaining (I can’t imagine we’d ever see Beyonce or Madonna doing that). Michael makes this production, and the people involved, his family -- bonding them together with one unified purpose: love.
After seeing this inside glimpse into Michael: the consummate professional, the child and the perfectionist, it’s clear how he got himself entangled in legal wrangles with money-hungry parents. This was a man longing for family, for acceptance. You can only say "I love you" so many times before someone will decide to take advantage of that unadulterated love. And since Michael’s own persona is wrapped in childish whimsy (the performer often comes off like a teenager trapped in a 50-year-old body), he was an easy target.
There’s likely little appeal here for nonfans, or maybe even casual fans. "This Is It" wasn’t meant for these people. This is a film designed to give a loving, heartfelt farewell to one of the greatest performers of all-time and the concert that would have inevitably revitalized his long stagnant career. But "This Is It" is not made to leave you in tears, crying over the tragedy of Michael Jackson’s tattered life. Rather, it will leave you smiling ear-to-ear, holding back tears of joy for Michael’s adoration of life and his love for fans, and the world he inhabited, was, and is, truly infectious.
Film Report Card:
Entertainment Value: A
Film Value: A
Final Grade:
A
Recommendation: It’s worth seeing if you’re a fan.
***
Here's the theatrical trailer:
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----R. L. Shaffer