Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’

Studio: AEG Live, Sony Music, Columbia Pictures
Director: Kenny Ortega
Website: http://www.thisisit-movie.com/

In the weeks after Michael Jackson’s death, TV specials bombarded viewers with tributes and summations of his history, with news reports and speculation. Watch this film, I realized that what had been missing from all of the television about the King of Pop was any reference for the man lost today. Audiences know very well what he did as a child, what he did in the 80s and 90s, and so on, but This Is It provides much-needed context for a pop music superstar as he was in the present-day. And what Michael Jackson is in this rehearsal footage is excited, focused, gracious and, at 50, very clearly someone who still knew exactly how to produce a great show.

These days, it seems like there is less and less separation time between tragedy and Hollywood producing some kind of feature about it. Considering the amount of money that AEG Live must have lost when Michael Jackson died only eight days before the start of his “final curtain call” tour, releasing a film about the concert immediately comes off as a last grab at straws. After all, anything related to Michael Jackson’s musical career has skyrocketed in sales for the first time in years. There are two ways that the footage from the “This Is It” tour rehearsals could have been handled. Thankfully, all hands involved in the production of this documentary picked the right avenue.

Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ is a making-of tour documentary at its core, and that’s what makes it strong. There’s no speculation about Michael Jackson’s health or his home life—everything from the news specials in later months is left out, but instead of taking away from the experience, it enhances it by reminding viewers that the stage was often where Michael said he felt the most like himself. There’s something bittersweet about watching the testimonials of the talented dancers, band, and crew (a fantastic mixture of people who’ve worked with Michael for decades and up-and-comes like assistant choreographer Tony Testa, who’re making waves in their fields more recently) whom all feel as if they’ve achieved a pinnacle in their careers, and then remembering that this was a production the world never got to see finished. Still, what is present in the rehearsals captured on tape proves just as successful in creating a concert celebration.

Several people in the theater were compelled to clap after songs or laughed along with Michael’s easy-going humor and rapport with everyone from production director Kenny Ortega (of the High School Musical series fame) to standout guitarist Orianthi Panagaris. People left smiling and humming instead of gutted.

It would be unfair to over-hype the film and make it seem as if this provides some kind of perfect closure—an explanation to any remaining questions about Michael Jackson or his passing. Instead, it is very purely the creation of a production that shows a highly regarded performer in his element, totally in control of his craft after many years of experience. It’s unfortunate that the “This Is It” tour didn’t see a full live audience, but through the documentary, viewers can at least be charmed knowing that Michael and his crew were prepared to do a comeback/farewell the right way.

Michael Jackson – This Is It (Safire cover)