Starring: a bunch of famous people and the King Of Pop.
Directed By Kenny Ortega
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477715/
It would have been a heck of a show. No one could sanely try and deny that. Michael Jackson was going to take with him to London's O2 Arena a crack band, a squadron of dancers and background singers, aerialists and pole dancing experts, elevators, a cherry picker, possibly a bulldozer, and enough fireworks to make KISS blush.
Apparently a Norwegian scientist had been brought in to help wardrobe work out a problem. Hard drives worth of new video -- movies, actually -- were shot. There was going to be a black-and-white shootout between Jackson and Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart. The all-new "Thriller" scenes were to be in 3D.
It would have been a heck of a show -- one obviously designed by Jackson and the creative and business to team to remove him from the spectacle of his life and place him once again within the spectacle of his art.
And of course it never happened.
We know how "This Is It" ends.
Hastily assembled after Jackson's death in June, the film cobbles together rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage as the gang prepares to ship to London for 50 sold out shows. Early stories about the movie were right: It's not a concert film, and it's not a documentary. It's a rehearsal film.
Jackson is engaged and exacting when it comes to the music. He looks as good as Michael Jackson could look, and far more spry and energetic than you'd expect from a guy who needed anesthesia to sleep. But the movie tries to do what the show would have: make you forget the tabloid Jackson, but knowing the ending, it's hard.
A documentary would have been a better historical document than a rehearsal film -- unless you're a big fan. If that's the case, you'll love "This Is It." If you're not, it's like watching band practice.
I guess if MJ was an Idol to you, it might come as a major let down.
Overall Rating (*)
Mr. What?
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