'Michael Jackson's This Is It'

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' (PG) ***1/2

Director Kenny Ortega

Michael Jackson will forever be remembered for the strange life he had in the latter part of his career. Most of his critics saw the strange turbulent path his life took and it takes this new film to remind us that Michael Jackson is one of the most creative and most talented Pop singers and performers of our time. I felt great sadness watching "This Is It" because it was obvious from footage in this film that Michael had more in him. This is a simply fun, entertaining and poignant concert film that is rougher in style than most concert films but still powerful and bittersweet. "This Is It" is a glimpse at Michael rehearsing for a new string of concerts he was going to perform in London. We see Michael rehearsing with choreographer and director Kenny Ortega with the musical numbers and the use of sets and videos that were going to be part of the concerts. Boy were these concerts going to be something special. I was afraid with the big production numbers that this was going to look gaudy and silly but I was impressed. From a recreation of the number "Thriller" with it's video that looked better than the original to a beautiful ballad that showed beautiful pictures of nature and the environment. All the greatest hits are covered as they are played out in their entirety as Jackson and his dancers rehearse. He has wonderful back up dancers that look great and an outstanding guitarist in 17 year old Orianthi Panagaris who is amazing on "Beat It" (as good as Eddie Van Halen) and more boys will want to take up guitar lessons when they see her.

I wasn't too excited to see this because I thought it would be a rush job and a reason to exploit Michael's death for money but after watching it I think it is a celebration of him and his music. All the songs are covered here and they are well performed and Micheal can still move and sing like he is in his 20's. There were rumors that you could see he was about to keel over and die and that he would look old, tired and there would be signs of drugs but that is ridiculous. Michael Jackson looks good and could still perform and I think these concerts would have been amazing for what I could see. I actually felt sad because I would actually go to see these concerts and wanted to after the movie was over. It will make you appreciate his music and M. J. more. With all the child molestation charges and weird physical transformations we forget how great his performing was. He comes off like a perfectionist in this movie but never yells and always says "God Bless You". He is genuinely nice and probably not as harsh as say other arrogant performers we heard of. I really don't care about my actor's personal lives because I just want to see them act. I felt that way about Jackson that I just want to see him perform and I think everyone should. I have not been a big fan of his music later in his career so I was surprised how much this movie entertained me. You shouldn't judge someone until you have walked in their shoes or moon walked in them.