Michael Jackson's This Is It | DVD review by Maggie Woods

“What better way to remember the King
of Pop, Michael Jackson, than to own
this brilliant record of the extravaganza
that never was, This Is It — this is the
immaculate planning, the creativity and
the painstaking rehearsals for one of the
greatest concert shows that would have
been and it is a fitting tribute to MJ...”

WHEN MICHAEL JACKSON DIED in the spring of 2009 at the age of just 50, the world was left with a large void that can never be filled. He leaves behind him a legacy of exceptional music and videos that reflect the talent of the man himself — none more so than the astonishing tribute to the King of Pop born from the rehearsals for the planned series of concerts that were to begin at the O2 arena in London in the summer of 2010.

This Is It is, not surprisingly, the Number One grossing concert film in worldwide box office history — and it is now the home entertainment Feature of the Year on Blu-ray and DVD. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment offers music lovers what is effectively a backstage pass to go behind the scenes and meet the late star Michael Jackson as he meticulously plans and creates what would have been a magnificent and dramatic return to the stage.

A stunning and memorable visual record with amazing special effects, This Is It gives an insight into the character of the King of Pop and demonstrates his connection with his team. A pool of dancing and singing talent from all over the world was amassed and endured nail-bitingly emotional auditions before the finalists were put through their paces under the leadership of MJ, who proves to be a perfectionist who is passionate about his art. Only the best will do and Michael Jackson gave it everything.

Beginning with the original rehearsals from March through to June and on to the final dress rehearsals for the unprecedented fifty sell-out concerts, each step of the way brings you closer to the real Michael Jackson. Here is a glimpse of the excitement, the glamour, the talent and the passion that MJ had been preparing to present to his eagerly-awaiting audience after ten years absence from the stage — a show that would have, without doubt, been the concert to end all concerts. Michael last performed live in London at the 2006 Music Awards.

“Michael Jackson’s
This Is It — the concert
to end all concerts...”

The superb opening shots give you a taste of what to expect from This Is It, with the fantastically-visual 'Light Man' who comes apart to reveal the enigmatic, consummate performer Michael Jackson; looking perhaps a little too thin but appearing super-fit as he sizzles on the stage. Michael is also keen to get across his love for the Earth and issues a warning about the damage we do to our environment.

Totally professional, Michael knows exactly what he wants and leaves no stone unturned as he seeks to bring innovation and imagination to the concert with amazing special effects — "taking the audience to places they have never been before".

There are many highlights and 'wow' moments as MJ effortlessly projects his phenomenal energy and talent, including the newly-created segments for the wonderful Thriller with a new cast of zombies, ghosts and ghouls and ethereal dead brides and grooms that would have floated through the aisles. There is also a black and white vignette for Smooth Criminal, with Michael 'starring' opposite Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep, reflecting his love of old Hollywood. Exclusive to Blu-ray is the complete versions of both. Other memorable songs include the ever-fresh Billie Jean; Man In The Mirror and Wanna Be Starting Something.

Bonus features include a series of illuminating Featurettes. The cast and crew pay a moving tribute to Michael and there are over ninety minutes of previously-unseen bonus features, including two show-stopping concepts for This Is It that never made it to the big screen. Prepare for new as well as signature Jackson dance moves.

The Blu-ray and DVD releases allow fans to go beyond the theatrical experience of the film with two documentaries — Staging The Return: Beyond The Show and also Staging The Return: The Adventure Begins, in which MJ is shown developing, creating and rehearsing for the sold-out This Is It tour. One hundred hours of footage, shot during the months from April to June, 2009, show MJ rehearsing and creating. Take a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect and genius as he creates and perfects his final show. A Do Not Miss not just for Michael Jackson's legion of fans, This Is It is a landmark in concert films and an important addition to any music collection.

It is difficult to believe that such a gifted, vibrant performer is no longer with us. "This is the final curtain call," Michael said. "This Is It!" And tragically, it was.

This Is It -- 24-page photo booklet

Michael Jackson's This Is It is distributed by Columbia Pictures in association with The Michael Jackson Company and AEG Live. Produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive Producers are John McClain and John Branca. Director / Co-Creator Kenny Ortega (High School Musical; Newsies); Travis Payne, Creative Associate / Choreographer. Stacy Walker, Associate Choreographer. Bruce Jones, Special Effects Supervisor. Dorian Holley, Vocal Leader. Michael Bearden, Musical Director. Original Concert Production Created by Michael Jackson and Kenny Ortega. The film is dedicated to Michael's three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II (known as Blanket).

• Michael Jackson's This Is It takes the stage on Blu-ray, Single Disc DVD and Two-Disc DVD Special Edition on 22 February (2010), courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. RRP Blu-ray: �24.99; Single Disc DVD �19.99; Two-Disc Special Edition DVD: �22.99 | Running Time: 111 Minutes Approximately.

"Michael Jackson's This Is It� a glimpse of the excitement, the glamour, the talent and the passion that MJ had been preparing to present to his eagerly-awaiting audience� the concert to end all concerts" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar

"An unmissable film, illuminating and unforgettable" — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Bonus Material (Single Disc DVD)

Making Of Documentary, Staging The Return: The Adventure Begins — in-depth, revealing MJ's unique, groundbreaking vision for his ambitious return to the stage, with Director Kenny Ortega and the entire crew from This Is It | Making Of Documentary, Staging The Return: Beyond the Show, with Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It discussing MJ's final rehearsals and the purpose behind creating the concert film | Costumes Featurette: The Gloved One — Costume Designer Zaldy reveals the elaborate new costumes created for MJ to wear on the This Is It tour | Featurette — Memories Of Michael: Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It share personal stories about working with MJ and how they will remember him | Featurette — Auditions: Searching For The World's Best Dancers: A look at the high-stakes audition process that began with over 5,000 applicants and ended with just eleven exceptionally talented dancers | Featurette — The Unfinished Rehearsals: Kenny Ortega and Production Designer Michael Cotton reveal two show-stopping concepts for This Is It that never made it to the big screen | Theatrical Trailer.

Two-Disc Special Edition DVD

Disc One (contents as for Single Disc DVD). Disc Two: Three Featurettes — Meet The Dancers: The eleven dancers chosen from among thousands to dance with MJ on the tour | Meet The Band: Go behind the scenes with the band members chosen to perform on the tour with MJ | Meet The Vocalists: Go behind the scenes with the vocalists selected to sing with Michael Jackson on the This Is It tour. Single disc Blu-ray: Contents as for Two-Disc Special Edition DVD plus: Featurette — Dancing Machine: Choreographer Travis Payne discusses collaborating with dancing legend Michael Jackson on the choreography for the This Is It tour | Photo Gallery with 75 insider photos from the rehearsals.

BD Exclusive — Smooth Criminal Vignette: The full-length vignette that was to be shown before the performance of Smooth Criminal at the concert | BD Exclusive Featurette — Making Smooth Criminal: In-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the ground-breaking production of the new Smooth Criminal film created for This Is It | BD Exclusive — Thriller Vignette: The full-length vignette which as to be shown during the performance of Thriller at the This Is It concert. BD Exclusive — movieIQ connects you to access real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie. Also includes the This Is It interactive playlist where you can bookmark your favourite songs featured in the film and email yourself a customised playlist. BD-Live enabled to allow users to get connected and go beyond the disc via an internet-connected Blu-ray player.

The exclusive 24-page photo booklet with the Blu-ray release is a unique archive of photographs taken during the final rehearsals.

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