Michael's Sad End
'This Is It' is a patched-together effort to make money, featuring a man who was not well
by Bob GrimmArticle Tools
- Michael Jackson in This Is It.
It's no secret that Michael Jackson owed a lot of money when he died—and lots of people wanted to get paid. Chief among those were the folks putting together Jackson's London-based concert series, a 50-date engagement dubbed "This Is It!" It was supposed to be a big payday for creditors, as well as Jackson's triumphant artistic return.
In the end, "This Is It!" went from being a spectacular live show to the bizarre film in theaters now. This is a rushed cash-in, largely featuring footage of Jackson rehearsing that's been cobbled together to create the strangest of concert films. We see Jackson working with director Kenny Ortega to craft a show featuring all of the big Jackson hits and a massive multimedia presentation, including 3-D screens and multilevel staging.
This film is not something Michael Jackson would've wanted us to see. There are many moments when, even in the process of rehearsing, Jackson shines as a performer, but most of the numbers include him understandably half-assing it so that the singer could preserve his voice.
There are plenty of signs in this footage that these rehearsals would wind up being Jackson's final days. Jackson appears gaunt and obviously tired. Some of his backstage banter is merely incomprehensible mumbling (subtitled so we can understand what he is saying). There are moments when he gets excited, but, for the most part, he comes off as dazed. This makes certain moments, such as his beautiful vocal solo during a take of "I'll Be There," quite remarkable. He certainly lights up when it comes to the music.
It is interesting to watch Jackson putting the pieces together for his show. He apologizes profusely every time he disagrees a bit with the director, and mildly chastises his fellow performers when they egg him on to have bigger vocal moments. The man clearly did more than walk on stage, take orders and perform by the numbers.
Footage of Jackson interacting with images of Humphrey Bogart for "Smooth Criminal" and a new rendition of "Thriller" that plays like Disney's Haunted Mansion indicate that this would've been a fun concert. There was even a segment dedicated to the Jackson 5. The show itself, while clearly motivated by the need to pay bills, has the look of something that would've been a major treat.
But the resultant film is not a major treat. It seems patched together quickly, and shoddily, to make a quick buck. Seeing Jackson in this condition, doing stuff he probably shouldn't have been doing because of his physical and mental state, feels dirty. His death is proof of his inability to handle the situation he'd put himself in.
This movie doesn't stand as proof that Michael Jackson could've physically pulled off his long London engagement. Much of the performances are edited together from different days, and nothing really plays from beginning to end. For all we know, Jackson could only rehearse for minutes at a time before collapsing on a cot somewhere. Through it all, there is a pervading feeling that Jackson, while not completely miserable, would have rather been doing something else. He definitely seems exhausted.
Let's face it: Most of what we are seeing in This Is It isn't good enough to make the special features on a DVD. This movie has me thinking that a lot of performers will now prohibit cameras and filming during dress rehearsals for big shows, especially if they live fast-paced or drug-drenched lifestyles.
In the end, This Is It is not the dazzling entertainment spectacle Jackson hoped to deliver. Instead, it's a chronicle of a desperate man falling apart, yet still managing a few sparkling moments before fading away. His performance of "Human Nature" might be decent considering the circumstances, but overall, this is a morbid and unfortunate experience.
Still, people need to get paid.
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Michael was healthy, the autopsy proved that, do your research first, and you call yourself a journalist? Michael was ready for this tour and in top form, he hit all the notes and nailed all the dance moves, sure he was thin but is that unusual for a dancer and someone who is rehearsing late into the night almost every day? No it's not, Michael would have gained some weight and he would have pulled of all the concerts. He only had to do 2 shows a week spread out over 6 months. You are completely off the mark with your review it's a bit ridiculous and I had to laugh. Your right no one was supposed to see this and I think you missed the point that this was a REHEARSAL, and Michael was setting his place and coaching the band, and still he was brilliant and out dancing his much younger dancers. This is similar to the DANDEROUS tour rehearsals which you can find on youtube where he is as you put it " half -assing" you are so full of it. This movie was captivating and mesmirizing, he was so full of life. You were obviously expecting a concert movie, but in reality this is better and shows you what a perfectionist he was. This movie is a tribute to Michael's genius and showmanship and what a great show we would have had. You should rethink your review because it is completely inaccurate. I guess your just another hater, get over yourself, 105 million gross in 5 days and counting. Michael's " bantering" is poetry and you are obviously not intelligent enough to understand that " let it simmer" " bathe in the moonlight" is his way of expressing what he hears in his head and how he wants HIS music to sound, MJ knows what he wants. He has a soft voice which is why there is subtitles and he is SAVING his voice. You must be living on another planet because we could not have possible seen the same movie, you don't have to like him but your review is so bizarre it sounds like it was written out of abhorrence, jealousy and resentment. Get yourself together and give the man the credit he deserves. This review needs to be taken down.
I agree with the comments above. I do not agree with much of this article. I have been a lifelong fan and I know good MJ material when I see it. What other 50 year old performer in the world do you know that could sing, dance and put on such a show like he was preparing? I'll answer for you, noone! He may not have wanted this to been film to be shown in life; however in death it's pretty much all that's left (at least new material of the man). He know his fans would enjoy this material and I'm certain he approves of the way it was presented. You put your largerly negative story together to get a reaction and you got one..at least a little one and in disagreement. He is great and the King of Pop does no service to the level he was on. I do agree with you on point, Human Nature was special. It was one of those moments in the movie. Like it or not, I'm personally going to see it again in IMAX because I am a fan and simply can't get enough of Michael Jackson. So please, do us all a favor. Keep your negative comments/"journalism" to yourself. The fans will keep him alive forever!!!
sorry, my comments are now above the jjan. I agree with comments...not the article. I just want to be perfectly clear on that..
Bob Grimm is well Grim indeed. You obviously went into the film wanting to hate it. Anyone that has seen it, knows you're full of it. I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH JJAN AND THRILLER. I could not have said it better so instead of going point by point I will simply give my opinion.
I've seen THIS IS IT 6 times. I have NEVER gone to see a film more than once EVER but will be going back for more! It is AMAZING!! I LOVE IT! I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I melted (Michael is so SEXY) and I wasn't alone. The audience was right there with me. I simply can't get enough. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, right? Well, I haven't. I will see it at least twice a week until it is no longer in theaters.
This is Michael Jackson like we've never seen him, not the media distorted version that was fed to us (Bob Grimm etc). Michael is so loving, kind, and respectful and cares so much about the world and everything in it. His was singing and dancing like he was 25. The stuff Michael and Kenny were working on for this concert was mind blowing and simply must be seen on the big screen. Don't cheat yourself, GO SEE IT IN THE THEATER! And stay until well after the credits - there's more GOOD stuff!! Kenny, THANK YOU for putting this documentary together with such love. And thank you for being a TRUE friend to Michael. I love you for what you've done for Michael and Michael, I love you more!!!!!
It's not even your article is it? I wonder who the first writer was. You should have gone and seen the movie before you decided to rewrite in places and print it. Incomprehensible mumbling? You must be deaf since at 56 I heard all he said in his gentle soft voice. I agree with all the comments made.
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