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Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009) – Trailer Included
The Moonwalk That Might Have Been.
Michael jackson' sThis is It - Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Michael Jackson
This is It is a revealing music documentary that offers insight into an icon at work. Compiled from 100’s of hours of behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage for what would have been Michael Jackson’s final live tour. This is It was a mega budgeted behemoth that was only limited by the King of Pops exuberant imagination.
The show was all but ready to go on the road with costumes, pyrotechnics, 3D CG effects and all other stage demands satisfied. Then the Gloved One died suddenly at 50 years of age.
Smooth Criminal the throwback with 3D tech.
John Doe Says:
Virtually born into fame and achieving artistic success before he even entered his teens, Michael Jackson transcended mere celebrity status decades ago. Recognized as a musical genius he grew up in the public eye, he has lived his life in a bubble, (no
Wisely avoiding the route of expose’ or biographical overview, this song and dance spectacular reveals vibrant footage of the abundant talent worthy of the myth. Being a fly on the wall as Michael develops ideas and choreographs numbers is to glimpse behind the gargantuan media image.
It takes a lot of work to bend and shake this good
Always beginning with a compliment before expressing his needs, articulated often through a musical vocabulary of his own design. Sometimes blunt and direct not through arrogance but the desire to be understood. It becomes clear that MJ had an astute awareness of performance art and his own presence. You can tell he has every beat, note and pause already mapped out in his mind much like a consummate director who closes his eyes and visualizes a film before even a frame is shot.
It’s was Michael’s World and we just lived in it. Surrounded by yes men, gleeful in subservience there is a mutual admiration rather than lecherous symbiosis that comes through in the film. The musicians are inspired by Jackson and he in turn is lifted by their passion. The fans and hangers on scream for more and he meters out small doses of magic to subdue, but not so much as to exhaust himself.
The rehearsal paradigm is one that sees Jackson saving his voice, holding back on the moves so that neither are exhausted before the main event…that never came. Walking across the stage with only the occasional flourish, for the most part we see him operating at about 70% of his abilities. But it is in those moments where he can’t help but let loose that the goosebumps come. A rendition of Billie Jean builds and as the session drummer feeds the beats Jackson shines with an esoteric popping and locking display that few could ever match. That the man is half a century old just increases the sense of awe as he throws down with his own unique flair a series of physical, rhythmic steps that don’t just repeat his past.
That’s where part of the wonder comes, as MJ revisits the classics that built his career, determined to rework certain staples while maintaining a familiarity to the studio originals. An impressive acapella, Jailhouse Rock vibed Wanna Be Startin’ Something and a Jackson 5 medley stand out.
A satisfying curiosity can be found in the 3D video extravaganza that accompanies the JD favourite Smooth Criminal. In this salute to noir tough guys past the surgically altered, androgynous Homosapien inserts himself into classic movie scenes, but appearing opposite matinee idols like Bogey, Cagney and Edward G only highlights the moonwalk kings artificial, cosmetic alterations.
Orianthi Pangaris Beat's It
Forever the cynic John Doe figured that the massive investment demands to push the envelope of entertainment technology, meant that MJ’s departure from the mortal coil left producers needing to make some quick bank anyway they could. It was with reluctance that he agreed to screen the film as it seemed like an obvious commercial endeavor without merit. Fortunately JD was wrong.
Growing up with the Jackson Five by the time the album Bad was released Johnny had tuned out Michael Jackson as anything more than a shallow pop star. Taking for granted his skill as an entertainer, this documentary reminded JD that the level of performance the man was capable of was something to behold. Belonging to an elite group of showman like Elvis and Sammy Davis Jnr, This is It encapsulates exactly what the world has lost…and thankfully preserves a commercial entertainer without modern day peer.
This Is It on Blu Ray comes to jdmfilmreviews.com courtesy of Sony Pictures.
For more Sony BluRay DVD’s please visit the official site@ www.sonypictures.comor www.experiencebluray.co.uk/.
Trailer for Michael Jackson's This Is It
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD
Yeah not the usual thing I would review on the site. I was a little reluctant to say yes to the Blu-ray disc but decided to give it a chance.
As for MJ, i love his early, early stuff and the John Landis Thriller clip is amazing.
(Funnily Black or White was also Directed by Landis.Martin Scorsese Directed the clip for Bad..Mark Romanek Directed the Scream clip....The Clip for Who Is It was Directed by David Fincher...)
As I say in my last paragraph, the film reminded me of how far above the average bubblegum act he was - I had forgotten the strength of that talent, voice and dancing.
Film & TV on DVD
The impression I got was that Kenny Ortega (The Director) was smart enough to know that Michael has been doing what he does since he was 3 years old. Ortega seems aware that the person with most acute sense of what the performance demands is MJ. So he was more hands off and just keeps everything moving forward without getting bogged down in semantics....the Director and star have worked together before I think...then again I do know the Director was behind High school Musical so I'm not going to defend the guy
Horrorphile
Screen Adventure
Film & TV on DVD
I was reluctant to watch it too.
Especially knowing it was rehearsal footage so MJ wouldn't be giving it all, but in the end that just served as a barometer for those few songs or moments where he let's loose. Intriguing to actually watch him work too and often communicate with rhythms rather than words.