Movie: This Is It

Starring Michael Jackson, directed by Kenny Ortega

Here lies a treasure trove of previously unseen Michael Jackson footage for his fans, though those wanting to find out more about the enigmatic King won't be enlightened.

It is the first documentary about Jackson in recent years that doesn't set out to lower his reputation and, if anything, it makes one more empathic towards the man – the way he is revered by everyone he comes into contact with who cater to his every need and hang on to his every word like gospel, makes it clear he exists in his own world: on a pedestal, detached from everyday reality.

The almost two-hour film was pieced together from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and backstage footage in preparation for what was touted as Jackson's comeback tour.

One of the expectations was that it would be crude mish-mash of footage thrown together and put on the shelves so the Jackson Estate could cash in on MJ's demise and start paying off his rumoured US$500 million (NZ$695 million) in unpaid debts.

But director Kenny Ortega has done an impressive job piecing together the footage to make complete songs without giving the feeling of it being over-edited. There is also some captivating footage of Jackson warming up and jamming with musicians and dancers, including rehearsal for his trademark crotch-grabbing move.

It's obvious that it is raw footage, but this gives the film a sense of authenticity not usually seen in footage of Jackson. But it is not an intimate encounter with the man – he is forever a showman and the film does not provide any great insights into his strange mind.

For a man of 50, Jackson can still sing and dance like no-one else. He appears to be in good health and other than his usual peculiar appearance there is no indication of his pending death.

The music is, for the most part, the same Jackson songs we've been hearing for the past 20 years, with a few exceptions, like an extended version of Thriller and the odd bit of vocal and guitar improvisation. The usual cringe-worthy Michael Jackson sentimentality is also there – a sequence of a little girl chasing butterflies during Earth Song in a forest is as cheesy as hell.

But it is worth a watch, and it is a fitting tribute to the man and the music that has, like it or not, been a part of our lives for a long time.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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