(Sony Pictures)
Michael Jackson’s This Is It is a look behind the scenes as the King of Pop prepared for his farewell concert tour. It features MJ rehearsing the hits that were to be a part of the grand concert’s set list, such as “Thriller,” “Black or White,” and “Smooth Criminal.”
We glimpsed the preparation for monumental, special-effects and an ambitious stage show—such as a robot covered with videos that Michael was going to emerge from, a giant spider for “Thriller,” and 3-D effects.
Parts of the concert were going to be larger than life, with imagery of soldiers marching to infinity, and a giant bulldozer emerging on the stage. The vision for the concert was grand, and the planned dancing and choreography were superb. Though his health was compromised, you could still hear the power of his smooth, high voice, especially in a rendition of the hit “I Just Can't Stop Loving You.”
As a master of his craft, Jackson knew exactly what he wanted. His process and work ethic are on display as he corrected minor parts of the sound, the dance, or the cue. After one take he quips to the camera, “that's why this is rehearsal.”
This intimate look provides a chance to see what Michael Jackson was like as a person, as opposed to his music videos, concerts, or tabloid headlines. His humility and reverence for God come through strongly.
During the film he'd often mention doing this for God or for Love. This was evidenced in his communication style and interactions. In one scene he is shown giving feedback to a crew member. He gently explains, “I know you mean well, but this is difficult,” when asking to have his earpiece adjusted.
Considering all the marketing hype, the film itself isn’t as high-energy as the trailer makes it out to be. Maybe that’s to be expected considering it was just rehearsal footage, and not a polished music video or a finished work. The lack of energy is almost certainly related to Michael's medical condition at the time. Looking at the frail Jackson, I felt a bit queasy. It was like seeing a ghost, and not simply because we know his unfortunate fate to come, but because he was livid.
The movie was at times poignant, such as when the dancers, with tears in their eyes, describe their feelings about auditioning. It was a dream come true for them.
Through the film, Jackson came through as much more than an entertainer, more like a preacher. He used music and dance to spread messages about love, peace, and caring for the earth. The songs “Earth Song” and “They Don't Care About Us” and the thoughtful “Man in the Mirror,” amongst others, each hit home about their respective themes.
For MJ fans, this may rare be a rare occasion. As one of teary-eyed dancers said, describing his chance to audition: "This is it."
