Michael Jackson: This Is It

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2010/01/26
Price : $17.99

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It's hard not to watch This Is It without feeling a mixture of sorrow and elation. When he passed away in the summer of 2009, Michael Jackson was in the midst of rehearsals for his final tour, an ambitious 50-date engagement. In editing 120 hours of rehearsal footage together, Jackson producer Kenny Ortega proves that it would've been an event for the ages. Michael performs material that spans his career, from a Motown medley to multi-platinum hits from Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Though he hadn't toured in 10 years, it becomes instantly apparent, despite rumors to the contrary, that Jackson was still in full possession of that unmistakable voice--high-pitched whoops and all--and that he still had the gravity-defying moves of a man half his age. Jackson and Ortega also collaborated on some real showstoppers, such as a graveyard-set "Thriller"; an imposing "They Don't Care About Us," in which several dancers appear to morph into thousands; and a film noir sequence in which the singer slides in and out of Gilda and other black-and-white classics, singing "Smooth Criminal" all the while. Not everything works, like the Jackson 5 numbers, in which he flubs a few lyrics, claiming that his earpiece isn't working properly, but as he readily acknowledges, "That's what rehearsal is for." It's a tragedy that he didn't get the chance to share this dazzling show with the world, but Ortega allows fans to feel as if it actually happened--at least onscreen. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Stills from Michael Jackson: This Is It (Click for larger image)

This video was created from a series of rehearsals for the last concert that MJ was planning to do in London for 1 year (~50 concerts).

I can summarize this as simply AMAZING! I would have loved to be in his concert. What a genius MJ was.

I loved every moment of that video. It is fantastic. I highly recommend it.

You should really see this. It shows how hard working he really was and of course, his creativity.

I received a used copy of Michael Jackson's "This Is It" and couldn't be more pleased. It's in perfect condition and was very pleased with the price. Thanks, Amazon, for being there!!

I wasn't sure what this was before buying it. It turned out to be a compilation of footage of rehearsal sessions, sound checks, dress rehearsals, etc. for the big London concert that was never to be. Obviously they didn't know MJ was gonna die when they shot this. The quality of the footage varies. Were they intending to release this before he died, or was this footage meant until then for internal consumption only?

I admit it's an interesting, though sanitized, look at what goes on behind the scenes during the preparation for a show like this.

But what disappointed me was that Michael's voice was shot. His dancing was also lackluster. Even the most unremarkable of his back-up stage dancers, could have totally killed him. The guy was about 50 when this was shot, and this film makes it obvious he shouldn't have been singing and dancing that way anymore (noticeable and repeated breakings of his voice).

Plus, the choreography for the songs themselves was a major let-down, with a couple of exceptions (e.g., "Thriller"). Was that really what they were doing to do with "Billie Jean"? Wow. And for "Beat It"? That's all they could come up with?

Excellent value for blu-ray disc! Product arrived quickly and in excellent condition. The video itself is great! Michael Jackson was a genious in the preparations and directions for this documentary.