 "Photo: Courtesy of MCT Campus")
Four out of Five
A better commemoration of Michael Jackson’s talent than the re-popularized white gloves and “King of Pop” T-shirts, the concert documentary “This is It,” opened last Tuesday.
In the preview, Jackson’s voice radiated over clips of dancing and big lights flashing: “We want to take [the audience] places that they’ve never been before, we want to show them talent like they’ve never seen before.” With all-star dancers, musicians, choreography, lighting and tech-work, “This is It” definitely accomplished that feat.
Made up of over one hundred hours of backstage and rehearsal footage cut together into an approximately two-hour documentary chronicling preparations for Michael Jackson’s final farewell tour, the film was reminiscent of a traditional concert film. Interviews with band members, dancers, directors, and crew members filled in between song rehearsals, all of them praising Jackson’s talent and personality as one of the greatest ever to grace their lives.
The film opened with a marquee praising Jackson and his idealistic dreams for love and peace to spread throughout the world. It then moved on to the dancer auditions for the tour, right away making clear that the diverse ensemble for this tour would be every bit as talented as the “King of Pop” himself. “The dancers are an extension of Michael,” said director Kenny Ortega.
The dancers were not the only phenomenal talent with which Jackson shared the stage. The band was incredibly gifted, the lighting and tech-work was brilliant, and the effects were both realistic and fabulous.
Some of these incredible effects consisted of revolutionary new costumes being invented just for Jackson, and giant mechanical structures including a “Light Man,” a giant spider and a full-sized bulldozer. Obviously this type of talent and pizzazz would be expected from the “King of Pop,” but to see how the whole thing would have come together was amazing.
The main success of this film lay in its ability to give a true personality to the man who lived such a long and tumultuous life in the spotlight of the world. As the film progressed with images of hugging and smiles and tears between the acts, Jackson took on a persona similar to a little kid in a dream.
Jackson was a perfectionist, however, and when he needed to correct people or point out flaws, he did not hesitate. “That’s why we rehearse,” he said. And at the end of every criticism or negative comment, he added an apologetic “with love” illustrating how though he hated conflict and aggravation, he insisted upon musical and technical flawlessness.
Regardless of your opinion of Jackson, there is no denying the fact that he was one of the world’s greatest entertainers ever, and he revolutionized popular music and dancing for generations to come. This documentary both displayed not only his vast amounts of talent as a singer and a dancer, but his unique personality which up until now has been perceived by only those select people with whom Jackson came into contact.
It gave the world a taste of the real Michael Jackson aside from all the media adulation and vilification. In that respect, “This Is It” succeeded. Jackson got a chance to bring his message of love to all the world, “It’s about love. L-O-V-E.”
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