I just got finished watching Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT on blu ray and even though I’m left with a deep sadness, I can’t help feeling inspired.
To me, this was it. This was going to be the greatest live concert ever. A culmination of Michael’s fifty years of life and live show experience, poured into fifty shows.
Every song in this documentary, that you’ve heard thousands of times feels fresh and reinvented. Every visual is larger than life. Even Beat It, which was beaten to death on terrestrial radio feels re-energized!
Keep in mind, this is Michael Jackson REHEARSING. He’s not operating at full throttle. He’s, what we used to call in theater, “saving it for the day.” Saving his body and his voice for that grueling marathon of shows he was to perform at London’s O2 arena.
I didn’t see THIS IS IT in theaters. Do I regret it? Yes, but at the time, I couldn’t. It was too soon after his death. I would have openly wept in the theater and viewing it on my 32″ flat screen at home was just as emotionally draining.
The film opens with testimonials from some of the dancers who’s life long dream was to work with Michael. He was their soul inspiration. Their life long dream. That dream ended on June 25th with his passing.
I kept thinking, as I was watching the film, what if he were still alive? What if he directed film? What if THIS IS IT were turned into a Broadway Musical? Endless possibilities, now gone.
Special features include 2 making of documentaries, 3 featurettes with the testimonials of people who worked on the show, gushing over Michael’s genius. They’re all good, but to me, It just feels like someone describing the Mona Lisa.
Everyone knows MJ was a genius. The real magic here is being given that special ‘fly on the wall,’ back stage pass. (One of three collectable lenticulars. included in my two disc limited edition) 😉
BD exclusives include Thriller and Smooth Criminal vignettes, a making of Smooth Criminal featurette and an interactive trivia game. Stocking stuffers for the fans. Nice, but quickly forgettable once you’ve opened the main present.
Given the number of hours of footage and the amount of time director Kenny Ortega was given to complete the film, I’d say it’s nothing short of a miracle. Great Job! Excellent picture quality and dts-HD master audio.
I won’t write any spoilers. MJ looks great. Better than ever! Which makes his death seem more tragic and unnecessary. Watching The Gloved one at work is amazing. Every direction or critique he gives to his fellow players is with love and respect. The level of knowledge he has about music and timing is unequaled.
The void left by this man will never be filled. Not by a hundred Ushers or a thousand Chris Browns. This is it folks! The best it’s going to get. Now go out and get it!
GREG MORTON 