It's hard to call this film eagerly-awaited, or even eagerly anticipated. Had the events of June this year not transpired, there would be no need for this film to even exist. Outside of the emotional reaction to Michael Jackson’s death, there was also the matter of the fifty-date series of concerts in London, titled 'This Is It'. Jackson was rehearsing for the shows when he died, and promoters AEG Live have taken the considerable amount of rehearsal footage and made this film. Call it cashing in if you like, but the fact remains that many people (including you, presumably, if you're reading this review) want to see this film, with early screenings selling out in minutes. It’s a chance not only to see the last offering from a global icon, but to see what nearly one million music fans missed out on.
There are two points for anyone interested in the concerts or the events surrounding his death. Firstly, was this the comeback for Jackson that was rumoured? Like it or not, he had been off the music landscape for a while, and had more press for his legal and financial troubles than his output as an artist. Secondly, were rehearsals taking their toll as the media claimed? Was the burden of his financial obligations forcing him to carrying on with a body that simply couldn't meet those demands any more?
First, the show. The film takes the format of a concert film, with a 'setlist' broken up with various vignettes (dancers rehearsing, Jackson meticulously working on the arrangements for each track). Due to the circumstances, this is a hit and miss affair- songs such as 'Thriller' and 'Smooth Criminal' are the best indicator of what the show would have been like, as they have filmed segments to cut to in between stage footage. At worst, it's like watching an action film with no special effects put in. It's hard to imagine the concert without the crowd, costumes, large portions of the set, or even Jackson singing (he saves his voice on some songs and so only sings certain lines). No-ones to blame, of course, but if this is meant to be a taster of what the show would have been like we're given little to go on.
As for Jackson himself, it's purely a fly on the wall account of him working. We learn nothing about him personally, but what we do see is a man who simply knows what makes a great show. Every note, every pause, every movement is accounted for as he seems to conduct the whole production. It's also fascinating to see the energy and enthusiasm he puts into merely rehearsing, suggesting that he just found dancing so easy he could make a simple warm up look wonderful.
Jackson fans will love this last glimpse into their idol's world, and indeed it's fascinating watching how he works. That’s where the interest ends, however, as there’s nothing to gain from this other than he was still incredibly talented, but even then your mind fills in the blanks as the songs themselves are often engrossing but mostly incomplete. Patchy but interesting, it will no doubt be a different prospect when accompanied by DVD extras. On the silver screen, however, it's a hollow farewell to a man who was so driven by giving his audience flawless entertainment.
Stars come out for the 'This Is It' premiere in Los Angeles
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