Movie Review: This is it

Sad to say, but it is very hard to ignore the fact that Michael Jackson's 'This is It' is a cash grab by AEG Live, the promoter of what was to be Jackson's comeback/farewell concert.

But the late King of Pop Michael Jackson sizzles on stage, he lets the musical moments simmer and the audience is nourished as the film plays out. You just cannot take your eyes off him, he seems like a force of nature with each of his signature moves, and some nifty new ones too. But it is heartbreaking to watch his thin and frail frame, making extra efforts to breathe deeply. And you can't escape the gloom surrounding the circumstances involved in bringing this footage to the big screen.

Coming to the facts - as a direct result of Michael Jackson's death, AEG had lost about $30 million in concert production costs and the $85 million in ticket sales, and 'This is it' has been shopped around just a day since his sad demise. There were about 100 hours of footage, and the final result comprises of the best of it.

'This is it' begins with "Wanna Be Starting Something" and ends with "Man in the Mirror and as the credits roll the new song begins to play. Director Kenny Ortega does a good job with the footage, incidentally Ortega was the creative director in charge of the 50-night run of concerts at London's O2 Arena. Ortega does well by not bringing in too many people lamenting his death, and instead focusing on the rehearsals and showcasing 'This is it' as a concert film rather than an obituary.

The footage of "Human Nature," "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" turn out to be the best in the film although MJ very obviously refrains from straining his voice too much, but seldom restrains his dance moves. 'This is it' a good watch because it is almost never made obvious that MJ is going to die soon. Moreover, the footage reveals some colossal, seriously high tech sets, confirming that the O2 concert would truly have been a wonder to behold. Films like Gilda, In a Lonely Place and His Girl Friday were to be the backdrops for the performance of "Smooth Criminal"; and the best part - a 3-D film was to play in the background during "Thriller".

Ultimately the film is not a tribute to Michael Jackson as many have thought it out to be. 'This is it' is not uninteresting, but make no mistake, it is a cash-in. There was a $60 million business deal between AEG and Columbia Pictures, to watch other companies bleeding MJ dry, turning him into a headline fodder and cashing in on his death is not quite fun and entertaining.