This Is It (2009)

Brass tacks, "This Is It" is a concert film, and I approached it just wanting to see Michael Jackson perform the big hits on stage. Also, the chance to see Orianthi shred Eddie Van Halen's 'Beat It' solo (I am a simple man).Having said that, I did really like the glimpse at rehearsals for a major league concert; the tremendous amount of work from all involved (support dancers especially) and Michael's perfectionism. The guy deserves immense credit for knowing his stuff and laboring to get it right. And when he gets going, the energy is infectious.His passing gives this an inescapable sense of finality (it's felt right from the beginning) and it's sad, really. He deserved to go out with a big tour. This at least gives us an idea what he had in mind.7/10

A true icon, a great entertainer, a musical genius, the Moonwalker. He has been called many things throughout his entire life, but the one the one name that suits him to the letter is THE KING OF POP - Michael Jackson is and will forever be a true legend and a person of great heart and honor. This movie happens to be a genius at work. With the help of the director who brought us all 3 High School Musical movies - Kenny Ortega, Michael gave us an inside backstage look of what would have been his greatest triumph to date. And then a week later, he was taken from us. This is not what should have happened. Michael should still be with us. But now, as we look into the future, we will see many rising up to the challenge to take what Michael taught us and we will rise to the occasion just like he did at the age of 4. He will live forever in our hearts and his music will live forever. Just 4 words sums this up ALL HAIL THE KING!!!!!

When Michael Jackson died, he left behind him numerous debts and the whole cost of a planned and prepared-for tour. So the obvious thing would be for the bean counters to hash together some rehearsal footage of Jackson performing behind the scenes, call it a film, and rush it out to cinemas shortly after the superstar's death in order to cash in on the media furore surrounding his death.The result is disappointing to those of us who are fans of genuine documentary films that are assembled, edited and directed with care and attention. This is a mish-mash of stuff that just about gets by generated on the goodwill accrued by Jackson. I consider myself a fan of the musician, and I admit there's a certain thrill from watching him going through all of the old classics one more time. So, as a film this is hopeless, but fans will lap it up anyway for the chance to see the final footage of the man before his untimely death.

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.