The day Michael Jackson died I was heartbroken, not just because a music legend had died, and call me selfish for this, I was also heartbroken because I wasn't going to get to see one of my heroes perform live. I had been counting the days until my trip to the 02 arena to see the 'King of Pop', and so on the 25th June 2009, I thought my dream was over.
'This Is It' opens up with dancers auditoning for Michael Jackson, talking of their excitment and how it has always been their 'dream to dance with MJ', you could call this bit cheesy, however it sets up the movies main theme which is dream's, it was MJ's dream to create 'the greatest show on earth' and from watching the film I think you'll agree, he managed to do it.
The film follows MJ whilst rehearsing for his 'This Is It' tour. We get to see how aspects of a show like this are put together, from filming the green screen movies that would play as a backdrop to the performance, to the King of Pop's hands-on approach to the music and choregraphy. Footage of MJ singing all of his greatest hits, are cut together with footage of the backdrop movies, to give the audience a feel of what they would have seen if the shows had gone ahead. Although the footage is only of rehearsal's the performances are amazing, my particular favourite being 'Thriller' with a giant robotic spider, 'Floating Brides & Grooms' and around thirty dancing zombies all on stage. Some people have criticised MJ's voice on the film saying it isn't as good as it used to be, but he obviously isn't going to give 100% at rehearsal's he even says this himself, this footage was never intended to be seen by the public and so didn't have to be pitch perfect, however at the key moments when he needs to be at his best, we get to see why he was named 'The King of Pop'.
The media have reported that many 'fans' don't want to see the film as it doesn't address how the large amount of shows had affected MJ's health, however this film is about celebrating MJ and his great performance skills as a singer and a dancer. There has been enough documentaries telling us 'what really happend', and whether it's the truth or not I don't think people care about that anymore, audiences want to see the 'King of Pop' celebrated for what he did best: perform. Even at 50 his dance skills hadn't changed, he still manages to keep up with younger dancers and he doesn't seem to have any health issues, whilst running and dancing round the stage.
If you're a fan of MJ or even if you just like a few of his songs, this film is definatly worth seeing, even more so at the cinema. Although the film could never portray the atmosphere and energy of a real concert, for the two hours it is on you feel like MJ is alive again, we get to see his passion for his music and I felt like I had finally fulfilled my dream of seeing him perform live. With great songs and spectacular performances, 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' gives you a front row seat to 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.
