Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Michael Jackson: This Is It ***1/2



This is really it for Michael Jackson.

I reluctantly attended a screening of This Is It, the new documentary about the rehearsal process for his, what would have been upcoming tour. With all of MJ's personal problems, and physical frailties, I expected literally the skelton of his past greatness. I enjoyed every song, and the production values that went into creating them.

Most interesting is MJ's artistic process. He doesn't think in terms of song only. He is one with music, dance, set design, the backup singers and dancers. All is part of the whole.

The concert if it went on the road, would be the musical event of this period.

You will not get insight into his scandals in this movie. So be it.

RENEGADE EYE

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What? No Bayreuth?

SecondComingOfBast said...

I like Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, and Human Nature. Most of the other stuff I ever heard by him is minimal to forgettable to execrable.

Joe Jackson is saying the film was made using body doubles. I find that hard to believe. With all the people involved in the filming, production, choreography, etc., of these rehearsals, there is no way that would not have been old news by now.

One thing everybody will have to say about Jackson, regardless of your opinions of him personally and artistically, he almost single-handedly made music videos the art form they are today. For that we are forever in his debt.

Frank Partisan said...

FJ: No Bayreuth.

Pagan: That was no body double. Joe Jackson gets not one penny from this movie.

Jackson helped in a big way, during videos golden age.

The crowd in the theater clapped, after songs. It was a really spectaculor concert. It puts some like Britney to shame.

He was the king of pop. The movie made me a believer.

tony said...

MJ left A Body Work I's true.'Fraid I was never a big fan, but i can understand why so many are.Yes, he made video an Art form.
..........Talking of which,Ren, I finally got around to watching 'District 9'.[on your advise]Brilliant film!Roll On The Sequel!

Frank Partisan said...

Tony: District 9 was great. The lead is the next DeNiro.

I honestly underestimated how good could be, even older.

jams o donnell said...

Jackson was never my thing. I'm sure there are many who will love it, which is fine by me!

Ducky's here said...

Curly of the 3 Stooges was the first to do the moonwalk.

Frank Partisan said...

Jams: in terms of pop, MJ breaks the mold.

Ducky: LOL. There is Oscar talk, with this movie.

Anonymous said...

Oscar talk? Why not a Nobel?

Seán said...

Can't be doing with Jackson. Not my thing. However, I feel his life remained unfulfilled, despite the No.1 albums and platinum discs etc. The poor guy went to the grave without ever finding that missing glove.

Frank Partisan said...

Seán: One of the MJ impersonators took the glove.

Lew Scannon said...

Not a big Jackson fan myself, but if one is, I recommend seeing it on the big screen as opposed to waiting for the DVD. This is precisely the type of spectacle that movie theaters are made for, and there's no way your home sound system would be able to compete with your local theaters.

Frank Partisan said...

Lew: Thank you for visiting.

You are correct, that MJ's movie, is made for the theter screen. It is really a spectatular concert.

Nevin said...

MJ was not my cup of tea when he was alive, but I have to say, it is sad to see, he is still being exploited after his death... Some people made millions over this movie!