Tom Long

Movie review: Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' is a dazzling backstage thriller

The only bad thing about "This Is It" is that Michael Jackson isn't around to see the movie.

Because what might have been some cheesy attempt to capitalize on Jackson's death, pumped up with cheap fan testimonies and biographical highlights, instead turns out to be a fun and fascinating look at how the pop singer was building his biggest live show ever.

The movie is crammed full of songs -- everything from "Thriller" to "Smooth Criminal" to "Jam" and "Black or White" -- but it also serves up a clear picture of Jackson as an artist, a bit volatile and sort of weird at times, but filled with energy and passion and always in control.

This was his show, no doubt about it, although artistic director Kenny Ortega who also directed the movie was obviously there to hold his hand every step of the way -- interpreting, consoling, safeguarding and working with the singer.

It's fairly amazing that Ortega was able to throw this film -- which is made up of rehearsal footage Jackson intended for his own use -- together so quickly; but part of its charm is that the movie doesn’t pretend to be a polished concert. It's a record of a work in progress.

But what a work that might have been. The integration of dancing, singing, lighting, pyrotechnics and filmed elements is dazzling even when only half-realized.

Understand, most of the songs here don't play out in full. Jackson or a dancer or band member might need direction and things come to a halt as they're worked out. Michael can be heard saying "That's why we rehearse" more than once.

At first there's a fear that this is going to be a let's-put-on-a-show exercise as we're shown dance auditions. But Ortega, a veteran choreographer, makes sure to keep the music flowing throughout, and he seems to exult in Jackson's every twist and turn and hand whip. Jackson is most sure on the dance floor, but he also closely tracks the band, at one point coaching a keyboard player -- "You've got to let it simmer," he says. Everybody seems to get where he's coming from.

The weakest number is a Jackson 5 medley in which the singer has monitor problems and goes a bit sharp. And the ballad "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is uneven at best.

But again, the imperfections contribute to the charm. Beyond that, it's obvious that Jackson -- who is alarmingly thin -- is holding back since these are just rehearsals.

This fact hangs over the entire film; he's this good just going through the motions and working things out. How good would he have been in a real concert setting?

Probably no better than he is in an improvised series of dance moves that he breaks into during "Billie Jean." The song is pretty much over so there's no reason for him to perform the fantastic twitch ballet that he does. It's as if he’s forgotten he's practicing, he's completely in the moment and the movement, and it's transcendent.

"This Is It" isn't Michael Jackson at his greatest; it's him preparing to be at his greatest. But just watching that preparation is gift enough.

tlong@detnews.com (313) 222-8879