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Wonderful character development!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The acting in this movie is really good.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This Is It (2009):Dir: Kenny Ortega / Featuring: Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega, Judith Hill, Orianthi Panagaris: In mid 2009 it was it for the pop sensation who has dazzled fans for four decades with the most unique style of performance. Michael Jackson was crowned "the King of pop" and despite controversy throughout his career, he still sustained a talent unequaled and often imitated. Director Kenny Ortega takes fans backstage for an intimate view of what was to be the comeback tour of Michael Jackson's career. We meet the awestruck dancers whose dreams are now reality. We witness the tremendous stage productions the accompany the various popular pop hits. Plus we meet Michael himself, humble, dazzling, and encouraging to the abilities of others. Highlights include a spectacular production of the hit song "Thriller", as well as a duet with Judith Hill on "I Just can't Stop Loving You." Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris does a solo within the song "Black or White." There are numerous songs featured although unfortunately not every great Jackson song made it. Perhaps more detail with the dancers and backup singers might have given it an even more personal touch, otherwise this is a well crafted visually appealing documentary. If anyone seeks a backstage view of concert tour preparation, or just wish for another glimpse at the man himself, this is it. Score: 9 / 10

It has been 5 years since Michael Jackson passed away and 3 years since I first watched "This Is It"; I was still in "state of shock" and denial that MJ is gone - too soon. A second watch stroke me with an overwhelming feeling right when the feature film started; how "alive" is the king of pop! How can he be so "real" and time- transcendent! I felt so overwhelmed to see the King on stage - a master par excellence! The feature film inaugurates with a remarkable message: "For the fans..." and, as an MJ fan, it puts me right in the moment that I am going to watch a somewhat intimate filming and it was heartwarming."This Is It" is simply well edited, carefully piled together feature film to put the best of what Michael has poured into the rehearsals, to give back to the fans and the world. More, it is so easy to feel the heart of the director gathering these scattered shootings into an almost 2 hours adventure. It feels so much Love to the King of Pop and so much consideration to his fans. The quality of communication between Michael Jackson and K. Ortega gives a clear clue of what type of relationship the two have developed, for the love of art and giving to others.In my opinion, "This Is It" is to be watched many times, but as much as one would get easily captivated by the magical moves, voice, discussed technicalities by MJ, the movie is also a good opportunity to explore what it is like to work with a world icon, vis-a-vis the director, technicians, musicians, vocalists, dancers and everyone involved. It feasibly goes on exploring the songs along with dances and decoration; it pauses at times when a remark needs to be discussed, it repeats a given part, dance, musical key note, a played instrument, etc. All of these details have been kept in the movie to give fans a chance to re-live work-on-process, sculpture refining, magic in-motion. That is how "intimate" this feature film is and this is why it is worthy of several watching.Michael Jackson's rehearsing is beyond any expectations! His level of energy and "mental presence" are very unquestionable, yet, it puts the viewer in a position of confusion; how can this man with this level of energy and readiness of giving die so suddenly!? And the sad truth is there would be no logical answer, that maybe the consolation would come from watching "This Is It" as it is. With every song, MJ is pouring all of his heart and emotions - the man is not taking anything for granted. He simply lives in the moment of the song, feels it deeply, expresses it with a voice and a body language, pauses to change, edit or discuss a detail or two, rehearses and repeats to an "overkill" degree and leaves the audience, me in person, literally breathless! He was 50 years old, yet, nothing of what he does and how, would give you a clue of his biological age! He was simply young at heart and immortal in soul. Selfless, giving, friendly, humble, respectful, easy-going and loving are easily noticed when watching MJ with everyone around him. He believes a work is a team-effort and he doesn't miss a chance to show gratitude to those around him. He is fit for his title: the King.There is also a big focus on the effort that was made to re-film parts of some of the biggest hits to include in the live show, all under MJ's direct supervision. The man was just too much involved in the nuts and bolts of his show – nothing of a surprise to his fans - the perfectionist.All in all, the general working atmosphere felt friendly, loving and space was allowed for any talent to explode, be it intellectual or physical. In MJ's rehearsals, there is a welcoming ground for anyone to be. Everyone would look at ease doing what he/she is supposed to do and the tension is left behind – that's what I have felt while watching the entire movie.Then, hats off to K. Ortega. Not only did he manage to piece together the genius and artistry of Michael Jackson, but he also excelled to present the human-MJ, person, soul and heart to his fans and to those who knew little about him. Ortega generosity included short interviews of musicians, dancers and technicians – their presence has been reserved for being key-players in the project.As the movie reaches its end, so the King's. A beautiful spiritual-like scene is captivated where every one is holding hands and Michael's words of gratitude come out – the message conveyed was larger than the clock of his body – it was as global as he is. RIP MJ, a true King that ever lived.

I didn't expect to like this film as much as I did. There's been some criticism about turning the rehearsal footage into a film, but that's exactly what makes this film so different from anything else we've seen with or about Michael Jackson. What's most engaging about the film is being able to witness Jackson's creative process versus just seeing the final product, and observing how he worked behind the scenes and how he thought, managed and directed his artists and technicians.While I enjoyed Michael Jackson's work off & on over the years, all the negative press, media frenzy and over-exposure made me lose interest over time. Watching this film obscured the negative for me. Jackson's creative genius, intelligence, humor, depth, dedication, kindness and charisma made him incomparable as an artist. We see an artist who is mature, wise, self-aware, capable, mindful, kind and respectful to everyone around him. Yes, it's irrefutable that Jackson was eccentric and childlike, but he seems neither weird nor wacky here. There have been many brilliant people throughout history who were viewed as "weird" by their contemporaries because they were unusual and different from the pack or purely interested in-- and focused on-- what inspired them. Jackson also appears quite strong and lucid in all the footage and seems completely inspired & energetic. The film also does a great job of showing how much heart, integrity and care went into this tour by everyone involved. How lucky were all those who got to watch the magic up-close, and how lucky his fans are that all this was actually captured on film so thoroughly. The dancers are incredible and the dance routines and sets breathtaking. The concert would have been amazing. But for me, being able to glimpse this magical artist behind the scenes was the real gift.

In a way, Kenny Ortega's "Michael Jackson's This is It" is more interesting for what it ISN'T than for what it is. What it ISN'T is a documentary account of the life, career and death of Mr. Jackson, inevitably colored by the personal viewpoints and biases of its maker. In fact, but for the cruel hand of Fate, "This is It" shouldn't even exist as a movie at all. The behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson and his crew mounting their elaborate, effects-laden worldwide tour scheduled for summer 2009 - his first in over ten years - was initially intended only for Jackson's own personal library. Instead, that footage has become a moving elegy for the self-proclaimed King of Pop, who died tragically on June 25, 2009, at the unripe young age of 50. Wisely, there are no post-mortem interviews or commentary included in the film. The performers all speak of him in the present tense, excited at the prospect of being a part of what is clearly an experience of a lifetime for any musician, dancer or singer fortunate enough to be a part of the show. That their dreams never really came to fruition is what gives the film a depth and poignancy that goes beyond simply the loss of Jackson. Indeed, watching this film is a bit like experiencing how the gods must feel, looking down upon us mere mortals as we go about our daily lives secure in the naïve belief that we will live forever, blithely unaware of what the future actually has in store for us. As to Jackson himself, he emerges as energetic and deeply engaged in the creative process, no more petulant or demanding than your average multi-talented, legendary superstar - one who actually had talent, by the way, celebrated for his songwriting and choreography as well as for his singing and dancing. And, of course, the music itself is irresistible and timeless.It's a bittersweet experience watching this film, not only because of what happened to Michael but because of all the time and energy displayed by these hardworking individuals that would eventually come to naught. The small compensation is the existence of this film that captures not just for us but for generations yet unborn the creative and performing genius of Michael that will endure through time.Who knows, but someday someone will make a warts-and-all biography of Michael Jackson that will attempt to knock the king off his throne. But "This is It" ain't that movie.