MOVIE REVIEWS
This is It
Michael Jackson had been spending many long waking hours preparing for his highly anticipated fifty sold out shows in London. After extensive auditions and seemingly endless rehearsals, the finishing touches had been made on this performance that he was dedicating to his fans. Some of his greatest hits, such as “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal” were being revisited in this epic concert. This is It is an account of all of the sweat and tears that were shed in preparation for his return to the stage. Michael’s life tragically ended a month before the shows commenced and his career was cut short. And although fans would not be able to see Michael’s final performance, This is It has been a kind of memorial to the man that moved so many fans with his song and dance.
Despite the fact that Michael Jackson had many of his flaws brutally and often unfairly exposed to the public over the years, the fact still remains that he will always reign as “The King of Pop”. Director Kenny Ortega allowed fans to see a side of Michael that popular media was not so willing to reveal. Although people were awestruck in his larger-than-life presence, the film shed light on the very fact that Michael was down to earth and that he was simply a child at heart. Michael loved life and through his music he opened our eyes to the beauty that life can offer. In many sequences it was apparent that Michael was grateful for the blessings bestowed upon him, and he never took his talents for granted. He was blessed with a gift for music and his presence in the music world will forever be immortalized.
I have always wanted to see a film in IMAX, but couldn’t bring myself to pay extra for a movie when they are already so expensive. That was a huge mistake. Michael Jackson’s This is It was the first film I saw on IMAX and I could not believe how different this experience was from any other film I’ve seen in theaters. Of course, I am biased because Michael Jackson is an artistic genius, and this movie shows it. But, the clarity of the picture and the purity of the music made the experience so unforgettable.
Although I always wanted to, I never had the opportunity to see Michael Jackson in concert. After watching This is It in IMAX, I feel as if I had front row tickets to his most intimate moments as he prepared for his comeback tour. Every detail of his rehearsals, from choreography to sound check, was depicted so beautifully. The camera captured the perfectionist in the King of Pop and the IMAX experience made it that much more extraordinary.
His infamous lyrics resounded throughout the theater as the audience sat mesmerized as they watched him dance effortlessly even at fifty years old. Fans cheered, laughed and even wiped away tears as they shared in this unique and intimate documentary. Each and every individual in the room embarked on a journey of some of the last moments of Michael Jackson’s life and no one was left disappointed. Even though This is It is a full-length film, I was captivated from beginning to end. In fact, the time seemed to pass too quickly. This is not it for me. I will definitely be purchasing another ticket to experience it all over again.
By Leticia Mendoza
