Young Viewer’s Take
Greg Vellante

Ask anyone I’ve ever attended a movie with — I absolutely hate it when people clap at the end. Every time, I have the urge to stand up, face those applauding and exclaim, “They can’t hear you!” and then sit back down. Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” is the only exception I’ve ever come across.

Here is a movie where the audience will not only clap at the end, but applaud enthusiastically after every single musical number, put their hands together rhythmically during upbeat grooves and sweeping ballads, and shout out as if they truly were at a concert. Heck, five minutes into this magnificently mastered memorial to the King of Pop, I felt as if the theater had vanished and transformed into my own, private amphitheater.

A compilation of footage shot from Jackson’s rehearsals for his final world tour, “This Is It” is a beautiful reminder of what a brilliant artist Michael Jackson was. From the infectiously recognizable soundtrack, the intricately extravagant set design, and the unbelievably impressive choreography, the film takes us into the final months of Jackson’s life, and erases the reality of his death completely, at least for 112 minutes.

The film presents us with a man whose ability to perform and entertain overshadows any other aspects of his controversial life. “This Is It” is a film about Michael Jackson the performer, and that’s how he should always be remembered.

The movie does a phenomenal job of combining interviews with the backup dancers so honored to be a part of Jackson’s legacy that they are driven to tears, the musicians who are humbled to perform with the entertainer, and equal amounts of famous songs and insight into what this spectacular concert event would have looked like. Concert collaborator and director Kenny Ortega (“High School Musical”) captures the essence of the music flawlessly.

The highlights are the performances. Jackson was a pro, and after 40-plus years of practice, it would be hard not to be this good. His performances had the audience cheering with joy, as seats and seats full of Michael Jackson fans embraced the artist’s last hurrah. As for myself, I am a fan of Jackson’s music, but I do not own a single song by the King of Pop. This is soon to change, as “This Is It” provided me with the utmost reason to purchase the work of this incredibly unique musician.

I didn’t think I’d feel as good as I did after watching “This Is It”. I figured I’d feel a sense of remorse for a one-of-a-kind talent now gone. But rather, I felt overjoyed and pumped and happy.

The movie never contains a “Rest in Peace” or “In Honor Of”, only a simple title at the end that reads “Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, Love Lives Forever”. Love does live forever, and so does music, and Jackson’s will remain as an indelible facet of pop culture history.

Bravo to this phenomenally entertaining, and equally touching, addition to the King of Pop’s legacy.
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Greg Vellante is a graduate of North Andover High School who is currently attending UMass-Lowell. He has been reviewing and writing about movies for The Eagle-Tribune since 2007.