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Every once in a while you see a movie that takes you on a journey filled with energy, excitement and emotion, leaving you wanting so much more at the end. One such movie is Michael Jackson’s This Is It, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what may have been the singer’s biggest comeback concert ever.
It covers every angle of the comeback, from when Jackson first announced it in March to the final dress rehearsal that took place only fourteen hours before his sudden passing. In addition, Jackson presents a side of himself that his fans rarely get to see. Viewers witness him as he precisely envisions and creates every aspect of the show, with particular attention paid to the impact he has on his fans.
In the end, it becomes apparent that Jackson’s dream of doing something huge came true, whether or not he was here to realize it. Although neither Jackson nor the producers originally intended to release this footage, it gives fans the opportunity to see a production that they no longer will be able to see in person, one they will likely never forget.
The movie begins with clips of Jackson announcing the tour in London and the final auditions of his dancers. The joy and excitement of each dancer is apparent as they realize that they will be a part of a production that’s likely to break all barriers and make history.
The scenes that follow feature step-by-step portrayals of every aspect of the songs that would be performed in the show. Almost every song, of the 22 total, had its own stage set, featuring background movie footage, acrobats and aerial dancers, larger-than-life props, and 3D visual effects. Producers wanted to give each song a totally different and unique feel. “They Don’t Really Care About Us” features pre-recorded video footage of eleven dancers being multiplied into eleven hundred marching soldiers. “Thriller” features props and backdrops that transform the stage into a giant graveyard.
Viewers feel as if they’re at an actual concert rather than a movie. Each rehearsal involves Jackson and his crew at their usual performing best. In between each song sequence, Jackson and producers give their thoughts on the segment – what they think works and what doesn’t, as well as the message behind each performance.
One of the more poignant pieces of commentary comes before “Earth Song,” one of Jackson’s more recent hits. As pictures of a forest and an ocean are shown on the screen, he expresses off-camera how much he respects our planet; he uses the song as a means of encouraging people to become more environmentally conscious.
The most emotional moment occurs at the very end when, during the final rehearsal, as the entire cast joins hands. Jackson gives his final thoughts on the show and how much he enjoyed working on it, how excited he was to come back and perform again. You could sense Jackson’s exhilaration. He was making a comeback, something he wanted to for years, but because of his passing his dream was never quite fulfilled.
This Is It, in short, is proof that Michael Jackson will always reign as the King of Pop. Every moment of the film shows how passionate he was about what he did, and his undying dedication to please his fans.
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