Movie Review: This Is It

Michael Jackson’s This Is It

PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images.
Running Time: 2 hours 2 minutes

Michael Jackson’s This Is It was produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson. It was drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage recorded as Jackson was preparing for his concert series in London. The film also offers selected sequences in 3D and provides a career retrospective featuring interviews with Jackson friends and creative collaborators.

Kenny Ortega, who was Michael Jackson’s creative partner and director of the stage show directed the movie.

Is That It?

This Is It is a behind-the-scenes look at Michael Jackson as he developed, created and rehearsed for his concerts which would have taken place during the summer of 2009 in London’s 02 Arena. The film footage chronicles the months from April through June, 2009 featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of the songs for the show. While it may have topped the box office for its debut weekend, it only pulled in slightly more than $21 million dollars domestically. That’s really a rather small take considering the hype the movie received before it’s release. Originally Sony planned just a two week run for the flick. But, after last weekend, they’ve decided to leave it in theaters until Thanksgiving weekend.

Could it be Sony figured out it wasn’t the blockbuster they thought it would be?

I have a feeling those involved in bank-rolling this project are saying “Is that it for money?” Now, in an attempt to ride the Michael Jackson cash-grab a little longer, the filmmakers want more time to at least break even on the deal.

While This Is It is a somewhat stroll down memory lane for an old radio guy like me, I must admit, there were times I got rather bored. Remember, this is not your average concert type movie. Actually, there’s very little concert feel at all. The footage was all filmed during practice and rehearsals. As a result, at times some songs become nothing more than an endless music loop of the same song over and over again. Or even worse, it becomes a loop of the same verse of a song, not even completing the entire song. While the choreography is impressive, once again, it becomes repeatitive. There are just so many angles on the same moves over and over again that you can stand to see.

This certainly did not need to be a two hour movie.

If more attention was given to making a tight and quick flick, instead of some epic movie, the over-all appeal may be wider. Instead, the endless music and dance loops left me looking at my watch wondering when the movie would end.

Some Bright Points

Even though This Is It is a little on the long side, there are some bright points along the way. The quick Jackson 5 montage is fun and the old pictures of the brothers were great to see too. The remake of Thriller and the some what behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the 3D video for the song was interesting too. It’s also very clear that Michael Jackson was a great dancer and choreographer. The moves are slick and clean. Then there’s the band. Wow, what an incredible collection of musicians.

Overall, This Is It is well done and pleasing to the eye as far as camera work and production. Those involved in completing the movie did very well in taking months of raw rehearsal film footage, and then turn it into a big screen movie. However, as already mentioned, This Is It is too long. As for rating, we are calling This Is It family-friendly. With a PG rating, there’s nothing out of the ordinary here that would bounce this flick out of the family-friendly arena.

Is this movie worth seeing on the big screen?

I’m going to say This Is It might best be viewed at home. While the big screen and big sound certainly adds to the overall effect of the movie, with the advent of home theater systems, you might not lose that much by waiting for the DVD. The cost of admission for a family, plus drinks and popcorn just seems too high a price to pay for this musical experience.

Wait for the DVD.
Dr. Rus