Analysis and Review: Michael Jackson This Is It
Director Kenny Ortega Brings Michael Jackson’s Last Tour to Life
Oct 28, 2009
From the moment movie-goers step into the theatre to view Michael Jackson’s This Is It, they are captivated into non-stop entertainment. Donning lanyards and VIP style movie passes, each ticket-holder will feel as though they have been given a back-stage pass into the life and love of Jackson’s final tour: This Is It.
The This Is It Experience
It is clear through Ortega’s choice of footage and music, that Michael Jackson had created this tour to be about one thing: experience. The musical genius and experience of Michael Jackson is demonstrated in the film. The experience of the dancers; from audition to a week before performance is followed seamlessly. And last, but surely most important to Michael Jackson himself, the virtual experience of a fan sitting front row on the never-to-be tour will be handed on a silver platter to each viewer of This Is It.
Ortega’s goal with the film was to give the world and Jackson’s fans the experience they never got after his untimely death, just a week before the tour was scheduled to begin. The film becomes a story right in front of the viewers’ eyes, brought together from documentary style footage originally meant for Jackson’s personal collection. Although the film is obviously a tribute to Michael Jackson in his final days planning his paramount tour, the film ebbs effortlessly around Michael’s passion; his music and his fans.
“The Man You Never Knew”
Captured on film never-attended for audience viewing, Michael Jackson’s fans will get a glimpse into what he was really like, behind the scenes, and in the constructing of his concert experiences. Ortega portrays Jackson in many different ways, but the emotion that comes through again and again throughout the movie is passion. Jackson is passionate about the music, passionate about the dancing, and serious about the performance. Ortega gives the viewers rehearsal passes to favorite's like "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Black Or White," and "Beat It." More than once in the movie footage, Jackson abruptly stops rehearsal to give personal direction to musicians and dancers.
Using words like “sizzle, shimmer and booty,” Kenny Ortega shows the world where Jackson’s performance meets preparation. Jackson’s emotions are captured mostly though his vocabulary, where upon one occasion he speaks of a climatic fermata as “nourishing” the crowd. Whether you are a Jackson fan or not, the film will show you how his talent demands respect and attention, and you will be nourished by his energy.
This Is It: The Underlying Message
Ortega attempts to capture Jackson in his element with dancers, musicians, set-up crews and lighting experts to show the audience the message of the perpetually postponed tour: it is about the fan. Through a movie supposedly centering around Jackson, the focus is constantly turned to his passion, the people in the audience. Michael preps the crew after a final rehearsal with the challenge to “give the people something they have never experienced before” and with this film, Ortega delivers the dream. Whether it is by an army of 10,000 dancers, a giant spider, or a life-size bulldozer, audience members of This Is It are in for an experience they have never had before. And with the passing of “The King of Pop,” it seems this is really it.
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