Reviewed: 'This is It'

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' is a depiction of what would've been his comeback concert — and what a comeback it was going to be.

From the dancers and choreography to superb stage visual effects it's without a doubt that this concert was going to be mindblowing. It's amazing how in this documentary of selected footage from his rehearsals, almost every single one of Jackson's songs sound brand new.

Captured emotions

Directed by his creative partner and choreographer Kenny Ortega, the documentary takes off from the gruelling selection of Jackson's backing dancers, capturing the emotions of those who land the opportunity of a lifetime by being selected for the show. Plenty of tears, then, but even more slick dance moves from those fit to dance for a king.

Those moves improve even further as the film shifts to the rehearsals of Jackson's greatest hits including 'Wanna Be Startin' Something', which would have been his opening song for the 50 scheduled shows at the O2 arena in London. From the first glimpse of the singer, you can pick up on his alleged ill health. He appears thin and, occasionally, fragile and exhausted, while his dance moves seem to be a shadow of what they used to be — understandable given that he was 50.

But on better days, he looks refined, refreshed and in tune with what's happening around him — made all too clear in the segment where he rehearses for 'Billie Jean' and clearly demonstrates that, no matter what, he still had the it factor.

Vocally too, Michael is clearly still in tip-top shape, very particular about his songs and how he wants things done. He gains respect without really having to command it and even spices up proceedings with a spot of humour through his frank but witty ways of telling it like it is.

Highlights include the magnificent 3D clips filmed to accompany select songs and make them even more powerful. For 'Thriller', the realistic zombies are far scarier than those in the original groundbreaking video; in the black and white gunfight of 'Smooth Criminal' Jackson effortlessly enters an era that is not his own; and during 'Earth Song' a young girl experiences both the beauty and destruction of nature so vividly you can almost feel it.

Broadcast at 18 premieres on five continents simultaneously, 'This Is It' affords everyone the opportunity to see Jackson in a different light.

It's clear now that, despite all the weirdness and media frenzy, he was a regular man with immaculate talent that seemed to manifest itself even when he was merely doing nothing but standing around and observing.

Although many never got the chance to experience the king of pop live, 'This Is It' comes very close. Through it all, this documentary still gives you goosebumps.

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