"Michael Jackson's This is It"
by: Paolo Sardinas

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last four months you know that the King of Pop past away this past June. Circling his death was an array of rumors, speculation, and, of course, shock. What was once a trademark of the icon had lately been filed away underneath piles and piles of accusations? The Michael we once knew and love was, well, gone. But no matter what the issues or problems were it was the fans that were always there beside him. While watching "Michael Jackson's This is It" you get the feeling that this film was made not only to bring back the magic of Michael Jackson but was also meant for the fans. A sort of thank you for standing by the King of Pop during everything. And ultimately there’s no one more deserving of it.

"Michael Jackson's This is It" is a series of rehearsal footage that was shot while the iconic performer was rehearsing for his highly anticipated 50 show tour. While Jackson, in most of the public's eyes, died a long time ago, this concert film manages to bring back that old Michael Jackson to life. You know the one we fell in love with. While at first seeming like an opportunity to bank on the star's death, the film actually turns out be quite the tribute and never loses its sight of what its trying to show. The old Michael Jackson is alive and well in this film. Though the film becomes a resonating tribute to everyone-fans and non fans alike-you of course have to admit their are various flaws throughout. For one the film never depicts Michael's use of drugs which of course is no secret. Neither is Dr. Conrad Murray ever seen in any of the footage. Its hard to watch this film and get the sense that it ignored some of those important subjects which did make his final days less glorious then what’s depicted. But director Kenny Ortega, his partner in making all this come together, manages to focus the movie entirely on his music. Even though it would of been nicer if it focused more on the man rather than just the music.

No matter who you are you can't deny the fact that this film was rushed. While the footage is amazing there is less than what was hoped. More of the same scenes keep popping up. But at least the film has a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning has testimonials from his crew. These are absolutely heart felt despite how staged they look. The entire middle of the film cuts in and out of their 3-D mini movies and rehearsal footage, and the end shows what the final product would have been had Michael been able to finish this glorious production. In the end you walk away feeling even more sad rather happy. Throughout the film we do have little cuts in and out, really only two or three scenes, of the personal Michael. The one which was gone for such a long time. Through these scenes we get some genuine human emotion, which makes Michael seem more like a human being rather than some freak. Whether or not he would have enjoyed this film is a question which will probably never be answered.

The film does depict scenes of him forgetting lyrics and not being perfect. Though he always gave his all. Considering the fact that its not perfect might be what gave the film some of its magic, but there definitely could of been more of it. While it's definitely obvious that they tried to maintain his image as an iconic performer there was, undoubtedly, I'm afraid we never get to see the real Michael. The one who was frightfully thin and underweight. Also the Michael Jackson who was taking various drug medications is absent throughout the entire film. Obviously the makers of this film set out to preserve his image as a performer and legend. But without those dark details, which are a blemish to his career, "This is It" fails to paint a full portrait of the real Michael Jackson. And while those details are not ones which are to just be thrown out their for the public eye they are part of the bigger picture which never was. As you watch the film you can definitely tell that Michael was of course not in his top physical form, but the movie does its best showing him as full of energy. Which is true. Michael definitely gave it his all and delivered time and time again. Proving that those rad singing and dancing abilities weren't gone, they were just lost. His amazing dance crew absolutely takes over the screen. Job well done to the choreographers and to of course Michael himself. Who undeniably fills the room with his aurora and energy. And though the film isn't always as accurate as people would of liked it to be it still shows the same magic of Michael we love.

His dancers help to add to the greatness of the singer himself. He was and still is the one who future dancers and performers can look up to. Though there will never be another, these performers, musicians, dancers all prove that they could hold their own next to the man himself. The entire film features many of Jackson's hits. Including "Smooth Criminal", "The Way You Make Me Feel, and of course, "Thriller". An open song book and catalog to the life of this mega-star. Though I would have liked to see more of these songs used in a bigger way you still get the same feeling and enjoyment out of all of them. These songs are all incorporated into these little music videos which feature Michael in some pretty interesting situations. The final product of "Thriller" is an absolute masterpiece. The video features Michael's dancers shimming and grooving as zombies while Jackson himself is up top singing the world famous song. "Smooth Criminal" features him in some black and white shots which feature the great Humphrey Bogart. All of these help to add to some of that magic and excitement which made those original songs so damn fun to listen to.

Whether or not you're a fan of the late King of Pop is entirely up to you. And whether or not you believe he was guilty for his past is up to you as well. But what this film manages to do is to show this man doing what he did best. Entertaining people. While its not the spectacular concert film everyone had expected it is a rather entertaining film. And while its filled with just as many mistakes and flaws as the man it’s showing "This is It" manages to offer the fans of Michael Jackson and the rest of the world that one final goodbye. Grade: B+