This Is It • in.Movies

November 3, 2009

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This was that kind of farewell film that leaves you wondering, all over again. What happened? How did Michael Jackson's über life force, so astonishingly palpable on the big screen, drop to zero? The live show that never was would have been amazing. His voice was as pure and as rich as ever, still connected to some otherworldly vibration that moves his fans.

Although much of what we witness here in This Is It, the documentary that chronicles Michael Jackson's final rehearsal days before his death on June 25th, 2009, focuses on the public performer as superstar, nuggets of his off stage persona, albeit in rehearsals, peep through. But these are few compared to the ups, downs and dramatic turns we know characterized his life. While he endured unimaginable displays of self-transformation, worldwide adulation and ruthless scorn, the film is about MJ the performer, his operatic-sized stage show and his team of beloved dancers, choreographers, stage technicians and musicians. Edited into 112 minutes from what director Kenny Ortega states was roughly 80 hours of footage, the high energy, sweaty, gritty and demanding rehearsals reveal an intimate look at the performance ambitions of a rare individual who channeled a powerful muse. The muse and Michael Jackson have left us another work to remember.

This Is It Credits

Michael Jackson Himself

Kenny Ortega Director/Choreographer

Paul Gongaware Producer

Randy Phillips Producer

Bernt Amadeus Capra Production Designer

William Budge Art Director

Donald Elmblad Set Decorator

Judith Hill/Singer

Nick Bass Himself/Dancer

Orianthi Herself/Lead Guitar

Michael Bearden Himself/Keyboards/Music Supervisor

Chris Grant Himself/Dancer

Mekia Cox Herself/Dancer NewsSip

Photo Credit: Movie Night - Fernando de Sousa, Cinema, Victoria, Australia

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