This Is It Review

Ever wonder what it’s like for Michael Jackson? Sure the king of pop has always been a sensation but have you ever stopped to think of what he had to do to become that?
This is it gives you a behind the scenes look on how Michael Jackson prepared for his final curtain call which I believe, if he would have been able to perform it, would have been extraordinary.
The documentary didn’t show Michael at his best, but it did show what it took for Michael to be the best. In the movie, fans could see what Michael had to go through to prepare for the concert. He was phenomenal in his practices although a little slow-paced. As he focused more on the dancing than on the singing during the rehearsals. Many agree that Michael Jackson was an icon, a dancing prodigy, and an amazing singer despite his somewhat high voice. Yet what many don’t know, atleast everyone who has not seen this documentary, is that he is a very down to earth man....literally.
The camera caught him rehearsing “Earth Song” and it showed part of the original video. “Earth Song” was written by Michael to let people know what’s happening in the world around them and that nothing is going to change unless we help. “It’s like the earth has a fever. It’s sick.”
The movie captured Michael in a unique way. When people think of Michael Jackson in his last few years…they usually think of a skinny, pale, man that’s not very healthy. But the documentary showed him performing with all his might and he looked pretty healthy dancing around the stage. He did look really skinny in some points of the videos we were permitted to see but otherwise he looked in good health.
Instead of showing crying eruptions from the dancers and backup singers, the movie showed appealing actions that Michael does to keep his concerts in the ranks.
It shows Michael on a cherry-picker, quite interesting actually, as Michael seems to be having way too much fun. While rehearsing beat it, Michael goes up in the cherry-picker and Ortega makes a comment about going higher. Michael then says, “Why would you tell me that? He’s teasing me. He knows I want to go higher.”
There was a little comedy edge in some other parts other than the cherry-picker scene. Michael was telling his pianist how he could do better and the pianist said “We just gotta put a little booty in it.” Michael started cracking up, repeated the phrase, then laughed some more.
There were a number of quotes that were repeated by Michael throughout the movie. He said “God bless you” after every segment. He was also pretty enthused about letting the songs “simmer” and “sizzle”.
To appreciate this documentary and recognize the full potential, I would say you have got to be a Michael fan. This is highly recommended for the fans but I wouldn’t say it’s a great documentary if you don’t value the King of Pop.

Shaiann Daniels