A prelude to “Smooth Criminal” has Michael Jackson edited alongside Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart in clips from Gilda and In a Lonely Place. Coming from anyone else, this would be unwarranted ego-tripping. But no other pop music artist (not Elvis, not Madonna, not The Beatles) ever made as powerful an impression on film images as Jackson did once he became an MTV superstar. It’s that history of visual iconography that This Is It should aspire to more often.
It’s always been a shame that Jackson hadn’t had a concert film on par with Prince’s Sign O’ the Times. And from the sparse opening rundown of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” with huge musical sections still missing, it’s clear that this won’t be it. An assembly of performance rehearsals, classic archival footage and heartfelt confessions, This Is It finds High School Musical director Kenny Ortega instead building a monument to Jackson’s skill. It’s musically impassioned, and at its most interesting, a look at behind-the-scenes showbiz hierarchy (Jackson is demanding, but he never skips a “thank you”). It’s Ortega’s understanding of Jackson’s artistry that’s a little shallow. The singing and dancing is unmistakable, but MJ was also set apart by his populist messages of cultural change, social acceptance and racial identity, exemplified in his best long-form videos (“Thriller,” “Bad,” “Black or White”). His views on the environment expressed here are sincere but not enough. Considering Jackson’s film legacy when he was alive, This Is It will only settle for being a touching shrine.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.
What a bunch bull Mark! This Is It is the Best Film of the YEAR – Hands DOWN!! I’ve seen it 6 times and am going back at least twice a week through its Thanksgiving run. This footage was NEVER meant to be seen but Thank God Michael documented everything he did including his previous tours. Michael is singing and dancing like he’s 25. His interaction with Kenny, the dancers, and the band is MOST respectful. Whenever Michael corrects someone, he always says With Love or God Bless You. When was the last time your boss told you he loved you or God Bless You after gently correcting you? He wasn’t demanding AT ALL, he was a perfectionist and wanted everything perfect for his fans. Michael wasn’t asking anything from his crew that he wasn’t willing to do himself. He literally expresses his love for everyone he comes in contact with in the film and talks about his love for the world and environment. Only a fool would have asked for more from Michael. The man literally died giving EVERYTHING he had for this concert and upcoming album. If you haven’t seen it, GO SEE THIS IS IT. The concert was going to be the MOST SPECTACULAR CONCERT EVER WITNESSED. If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself. God Bless Michael Jackson and this Film.
I agree wholeheartedly with the above commenter. Something I came accross in the past few days-www.gamble-huffmusic.com is showing a home video of the Jackson 5 after they had visited Muhammed Ali’s camp when MJ was a youngster. Even here it showed how loving a human being he was taking care of the youngest child lifting him up to a higher position so that he didn’t feel lonely or left out. As to Michael’s message, you write as if it’s new. Michael has been asking the world community to change their ways and care for our Mother Earth for a long time and look at what is happening today- climate change. Yes indeed, God bless Michael Jackson and all who take his messages to heart and try to Heal the World.
If you want to read an essay on THIS IS IT by someone thoughtful who really gets the essence of why this film is important–just as it is–check out Steven Ivory’s column today at http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur57165.cfm
Thanks, already did.
Mark ,first off I do know about freedom of the press and speech,but any way here goes my rant.You are way off.This was not meant for public eyes originally ,just Michaels home videos.But thanks to Kenny Ortega it was publicized so the fans could say their final goodbyes and have closer.I still havent had closer and have now seen This Is It twice and i am still very upset by his death.The movie is wonderful so go see it Mark.
Fishbone.
I’ve watched the film, and I’d have to say that it is indeed unremarkable, It just seemed to me that it was a loosely strung together rehearsal clips to make a few bucks. MJ is worth more dead than alive, clearly.