Word: film
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...London concerts. The ill-fated tour, billed as “the final curtain call” by Jackson himself, is now the subject of a documentary entitled “This Is It.” Directed by Kenny Ortega, Jackson’s creative partner, the film provides an unusually pared-down view of the performer at work, far from the manic frenzy that seemed to characterize much of his esteemed career...
...collaborator, refrains from digging up archival footage of past stage endeavors—one tear-streaked face amongst a sea of roaring spectators, the brief burst of stunned applause from a 1983 audience witnessing the moonwalk for the first time—and instead uses the bulk of the film to offer a glimpse of his plans for the future. Not content to simply belt out his greatest hits to a packed arena, Jackson’s best-known songs are paired with various elements of cutting-edge technology to create what would have been a truly innovative stage experience?...
...tour, “This Is It” witnesses the extent to which Jackson’s relentless perfectionism drives the entire show. Far from the shaky, soft-spoken intonations audiences are used to hearing from Jackson, he speaks in an unmistakably succinct, deliberate manner throughout the film. Issuing sometimes minute and nuanced commands to a corps of dancers, musicians, choreographers, and crew, he manages to dole out his authority with an uncanny blend of warmth and immediacy. Responding to a musician’s reassurance that he’ll eventually achieve the sound they?...
Just as the film is missing much of the rabid fan appreciation typical of Jackson’s shows, his rehearsal performances reveal a subdued version of the explosive entertainer’s song and dance capabilities. Often reminding his colleagues that he’s conserving his energy for the actual show, it’s hard not to wonder just what the final product would have looked like, though the film certainly captures a great deal of his signature showmanship. Still, the lack of opening-night caliber fanfare allows “This Is It?...
...with a single word: “Church.” Indeed, “This Is It” is replete with reminders of Michael Jackson’s unique greatness, from the fancy footwork to the sparkly accoutrements to the piercing vocals. Yet the poignancy of the film hinges on the less obvious aspects of Jackson’s accolades—his extensive creative and technical involvement in the execution of a large-scale concert event and the hushed awe of all of his colleagues. By serving as a quiet tribute to Jackson stripped of the usual...