"THIS IS IT"

Directed by: Kenny Ortega

Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes

Release date: October 28, 2009

Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing /arts

Distributor: Columbia Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG

The public interest in the death of 50 year old Michael Jackson and the "This Is It" concert that was planned for 50 concerts which was scheduled to begin back in July 2009 and was to continue through March 2010, made a statement to the world. In light of his passing the posthumous film was made from hours of footage of preparations and rehearsals for the shows.

Prior to the film's showing a red carpet from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was screened via satillite to 17 countries. Celebrities from Paris Hilton to last minute arriving Will Smith was interviewed which made this gala tribute screening a most prestigous event. However, once the film began (although it was a 5 minute signal failure) the magic was in the air.

This exciting and sometimes somber film is a rare look at the final days of Michael Jackson which used approximately 80 hours compiled into close to 2 hours. One could only marvel at the behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary "gloved one". His work ethics was one of a perfectionist who knew how to stage, perform, dance and orchestrate his music. The rehearsal footage shot in high definition, included Jackson performing his hits "Thriller", "Beat It", and lists goes on. His new songs "They Don't Care About Me" and "Earth Song" is something I'm sure will be released on the proposed album. An accompanying album to the film titled the same as the film will be a compilation inspired from the documentary. Of the Album, Sony said, "Disc one will feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film" and stated that "the disc ends with two versions of the 'never-released 'This Is It' song used in the film's closing sequence.

Collaborators and close friends are included, giving this film a real sense of what goes into a workday with Michael Jackson. I see it as a hard working and festive means of employment that one can only learn from.

This is a film everyone, no matter the age, must see. It is a distinctive treat for the eyes and ears.



(FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com)