Review: A tribute to the 'King of Pop'

Film: This is It
Cast: Michael Jackson, Judith Hill, Orianthi, Kenny Ortega
Director: Kenny Ortega
Rating: ***

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the greatest pop-performer ever, Michael Jackson. It’s the kind of rehearsal footage that would have been attached to a concert DVD but since Michael’s sudden death, it’s become hot property, enough to create a stand-alone film eulogy to the 'King of Pop'.

The film shows us a glimpse of the multi-talented individual that Michael was – his personal sense of style, his dancing ability, his affinity for the grandiose and never-seen-before pyrotechnics, his seemingly timid but well-respected façade and the tremendous work he himself puts in to develop, create and rehearse for the 50 sold-out shows that were supposed to take place, beginning with the one in London’s O2 arena.

This is not a film that spans his lifetime or even one that chronicles a significant amount of his work. It is just one that shows us how much hard work goes into setting up a tour and how much talent is required to make it successful. Michael of course has it all. His passion is unmissable. He knows every facet of the business and has a say in everything that transpires both on screen and on stage. He is a perfectionist in the truest sense and this film is expressively candid about it. He sits in on dance auditions, corrects the chosen few in their moves, pores over video footage, works out with a vocal coach, and keeps his band and musical director in check with genteel but firm instructions. He knows what he wants and expects everyone to fit in perfectly.

The movie opens on a worshipful note, with a number of the concert dancers weeping and excitedly talking into the camera about the gig and their love for Jackson. Kenny Ortega helps make the spatial elevation with the help of interstitial video, computer stimulated stage concepts and highly evocative visuals. The songs pour out too. Not in the euphoric frenzy of a live performance but in a less energised but nevertheless note-perfect effusiveness.

From The Way You Make Me Feel, Human Nature, Beat it, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, a few Jackson Five tunes to Black or White, Billie Jean and finally This is It. The effect is emotively powerful and equally sublime. Everything has been carefully packaged with definite commercial considerations in mind—there is no doubting that—yet it comes across as honest and unguarded. There may have been many questionable facets of Michael’s personality but one thing that no one can take away from him is his ability to entertain in a bigger and better way than anyone before him. The loss of such a talent can never be breached. In it’s entirety This is it is an experience that is both awe-inspiring and saddening.