The Film
It's clear from the moment Michael Jackson walks into the frame of Michael Jackson's This is It, the man moved - and lived - for the stage. The second the music starts, MJ's trademark dance moves and theatrics just start to happen, almost without thought. The documentary chronicles rehearsals and planning for the upcoming concert tour, "This is It." While the film highlight MJ's enthusiasm for the stage, it gives the cast of dancers, singers, and musicians - many of whom were unknowns from around the world - an opportunity to show their work that never saw the stage with the music legend.
In almost two hours, you'll see the combination of several days of rehearsals, ordered by song. The playlist pulls all the way back to the Jackson 5 days, and up to "This is It," a song release for the upcoming tour. The documentary showed MJ's tireless drive for perfection from himself and those working with him. It also showed a few tender moments that revealed how fragile he is; refraining from hitting some of the harder notes during rehearsal to removing the monitor from his ear because the direction he was getting was disturbing his ability to perform.
Released roughly four months after Michael Jackson's sudden death, Michael Jackson's This is It was seen as either a fantastic memorial for his life and his fans, or an opportunistic attempt to cash in on tradegy. Watching the film you realize it was the ultimate tribute. The producer and MJ's family were lucky to have such quality footage of practice performances and behind the scenes action leading up to the concert tour.
For another take, check out Christopher Peterson's review of This Is It.
The Picture
Never intended for public consumption, rehearsals were filmed to be collected for Michael Jackson's private library. Yet despite this fact, the quality of the 1.78.1 picture is surprisingly good. While dancers, background singers, and musicians get their time in front of the camera, most of the action follows MJ and his movement. Rehearsals were filmed as if this were the real concert, and it's only the infrequent long shots, revealing the sparse audience, which give away the illusion.
Editing is seamless, with a blend of several days and several outfits of rehearsals mixed together. The final product is edited so well you almost wouldn't notice the transitions if it weren't for MJ's change from a silver blazer with red pants to gold sequined pants, to a baggy outfit and flight jacket. It's a shame there was never a dress rehearsal as the outfits that were prepared for the show promised to be spectacular.
The Sound
From a concert or pure music perspective, the sound was full and rich in its 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio reproduction. It switches between live sound that gives the perspective of a rehearsal where not all the lyrics are achieved - mostly because MJ appeared to be concentrating on movement - and what must be pre-recorded tracks filled in to give more of a concert fullness in sound.
Where sound is lacking is in those behind-the-scenes moments where MJ interacts with director Kenny Ortega, musicians, and other crew. Many of his comments and statements have to be subtitled because they're simply not audible to the audience. The discussions in these segments are casual, authentic, and for someone to have said, "Michael can you speak more clearly for the camera," would simply never have worked.
The Extras
The Blu-ray has exclusive extras that are not included on the DVD release. These include Sony's movieIQ, featuring the This is It playlist. Vignettes for the transition scenes for both "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller" plus a "Making of 'Smooth Criminal'" featurette are also included. Additional special features include a making-of documentary "Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins," "The Gloved One" featurette on the costumes prepared for the show, and "Memories of Michael." Focused on the performers around MJ, another feature "Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers" goes into pre-rehearsal preparations.
What's disappointing is the Blu-ray comes in a standard jewel case with keepsake cover. There could easily be a booklet, but there is none. Even the two-CD-Set "Michael Jackson's This is It" has a souvenir edition where the CDs come in a bound booklet that makes the CD release more special. Sometimes the extras aren't digital, but mean just as much.
Final Thoughts
The name of Michael Jackson's comeback and foretold last tour, "This is It" is more poignant in this documentary. Intended as his final tour and retirement from live performance, he never saw the stage of his sold out shows at London's 02 arena. Nor did he get to add dates worldwide as the "This is It" tour made its way to his fans around the globe. Instead Michael Jackson's This is It made it to theaters and became one of the highest-grossing concert documentaries in its limited run in theaters. And its stunning picture and sound make it better suited to Blu-ray than to any other format.
Product Details
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