7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A rare glimpse into the final days of Michael Jackson, the documentary is compiled from an estimated 80 hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary entertainer preparing for his 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena that were scheduled to commence in July 2009 before his untimely death in June at age 50. Interviews with collaborators and close friends of the late performer are also featured.
Starring: Michael Jackson, Orianthi, Tommy Organ, Bashiri Johnson, Jonathan MoffettMusic | 100% |
Documentary | 59% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
movieIQ
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
This is the final curtain call.
On June 25th, 2009, the world lost one of its preeminent entertainers, a musical sensation
whose
career spanned decades, topped charts, and touched the lives of millions upon millions of fans
around the world. One of the most recognizable names and faces of the 20th century and
dubbed "The King of Pop," entertainer Michael Jackson was on the cusp of an ambitious and
large-scale London comeback tour. Entitled "This is It," his series of highly-anticipated concerts
were set to kick off only weeks after his untimely death. Soon thereafter, work began on a
farewell motion picture, assembled from "This is It" rehearsal footage, and was met with
enthusiasm, skepticism, and outright anger by fans and pundits; the fear of a rushed production
and a cash-in on Jackson's death and heightened media awareness surrounded the film's release,
but the picture -- entitled This is It -- proves for both longtime Jackson fans and relative
newcomers to the Pop sensation's music a powerful and exceptionally engrossing Music
Documentary, the film ripe with enthusiasm and portraying Michael as a quiet but energetic
individual with nothing but a passion for his craft, a love for his fans, and a dedication to making
the world around him a better place. This is It isn't a biography; it's not about Jackson's
life, his ups and downs, the accusations and the oddities, or the seemingly unending controversy
that followed the superstar in his later years. No, This is It is Michael Jackson in the raw,
capturing his final months and the toil of creating a one-of-a-kind show for the fans. This is
It is Michael Jackson doing what he was born to do.
The King of Pop.
Michael Jackson's This is It features a 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer that's a mixture of high definition and standard definition video footage, but the end result is nevertheless an overall strong visual presentation when taken in the proper context and allowing for the flaws inherent to the source. As one might expect, the high definition material proves the visual star of the show and, generally, looks exceptional. It's rather crisp, clean, and nicely detailed; viewers will note every stubble of facial hair on Michael's face in one scene; beads of sweat and tears of joy on dancers' faces; scuffs on floors; or stitches, beads, and other adornments on clothing. Colors are fairly rendered, whether the frame be awash in multicolored mood and accent lighting or showcasing Michael's bright red pants seen here and there throughout the film, This is It's color palette shines brightly even though the film often takes on something of a slightly dark tone. Indeed, much of the film features dark or hazy backgrounds, but the transfer resolves them with ease, never delivering anything but pristine blacks and the image pleasantly free of excessive banding or other problematic anomalies. The film is intercut with standard definition material, and while it proves a drastic downgrade in quality, the strength of the film often allows for viewers to overlook the sudden shift and accept the lesser material in favor of the strong thematic and visual presentation and consistently exceptional soundtrack. Still, such scenes appear with jagged edges, aliasing, cross coloration, reduced sharpness, and the like. It's clearly inferior, but it's also unfair to criticize it for being what it is and with no room for improvement. All told, This is It looks excellent on Blu-ray, the high definition material in particular a pleasant surprise and translating exceptionally well to Blu-ray.
Michael Jackson's This is It features a mesmerizing DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Nothing but the best would do, and Sony's latest lossless endeavor ranks among the best the format has to offer. For as good as the film looks, this soundtrack tops it, and from the opening beats onward, it dazzles with every musical number but also solidifies itself as an exceptional track even in quieter scenes with a more nuanced audio presentation. The beats of the uptempo songs penetrate the listening area with tremendous clarity; repeatedly thumping bass as heard during "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" pleasantly but powerfully pulsate into and throughout the soundstage. Additionally, everything from the percussion drums to the pyrotechnic explosions are handled marvelously by the DTS mix as every beat, syllable, and sound effect are delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Every note, from the highest trumpet rhythms to the heaviest guitar riffs, is richly recreated, and the spread of sound and style -- whether the pulsating rhythms of "Beat It" or the more soothing and relaxed tone of "Human Nature" -- never poses a challenge to the disc's amazing clarity at every turn. Additionally, dialogue is wonderfully executed, and voices finely reverberate through the cavernous rehearsal areas in several scenes. The track is simply electric, and Michael Jackson fans in particular are destined to adore this track for what is one of the quintessential sonic presentations of the King of Pop's top songs. Like some films are best experienced on large screens, This is It demands a spacious, powerful sound presentation; built-in television speakers just won't do this one justice.
Michael Jackson's This is It arrives on Blu-ray with a solid assortment of extra content.
First up is Staging the Return (1080p, 40:46), a two-part
Documentary that examines the "This is It" tour. Beginning with The Adventure Begins
(1080p, 28:13), the piece features various people from within Jackson's circle looking back on the
artist's career and the formation of what would become the comeback tour and final series of
performances that never was. It focuses on the scope of the production, the involvement of
Kenny Ortega, the assemblage of the crew, Michael's visions for the show, the surprises Jackson
and the team had in store for fans, the incorporation of 3D technology in the show, and Michaels'
insistence on adding meaningful depth to the show. Part two, Beyond the Show (1080p,
13:25), examines Jackson's passion for and understanding of his craft, his ability to entertain
without the glitz and glamour of technology, the planned exit from the stage, his final rehearsal
on the day before his death, and the role of This is It in telling the story of Jackson's last
days.
'Thriller' Vignette With 5.1 Audio (1080p, 3:51) and 'Smooth Criminal'
Vignette With 5.1 Audio (1080p, 3:58) are a pair of completed sequences that were meant
to precede
their
accompanying songs on a giant video screen behind and above the stage. Making 'Smooth
Criminal' (1080p, 11:08) takes viewers on a detailed behind-the-scenes tour of the
construction of the video that places Michael inside a vintage black-and-white noir film,
Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth. Next up is The Gloved One (1080p, 15:13), a
piece that takes an in-depth look at Michael's attire -- designed by
Zaldy -- for the "This is It" tour. Memories of Michael (1080p, 16:19) features a broad
array of people around the Michael Jackson "This is It" camp sharing their recollections of the late
Pop sensation. Next is Auditions: Searching For the World's Best Dancers (1080p, 9:50),
a piece that
takes a further look at the search for background dancers to participate in the show, expanding
on one of the film's more interesting, memorable, and emotional sequences.
Also included is BD-live functionality; Sony's MovieIQ connectivity with the This is It
playlist; the Michael Jackson's This is
It theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:31); and additional 1080p trailers for Grown Ups, It Might Get Loud,
Soul Power, Ghostbusters, A River Runs Through
It, Salt, Ice Castles, and Hachi: A Dog's
Tale.
Michael Jackson's This is It is a career-defining Documentary, a fitting final tribute to an icon of entertainment, and an exceptional film from both thematic and entertainment perspectives. Surprisingly deep and moving but also tremendously fun if only for the enjoyment of the music and performances, This is It is an excellent piece that's sure to please longtime Michael Jackson fans but also serves as a wonderful, no-bias, nuts-and-bolts introduction to the man's music and dance choreography. Both visual spectacle and a celebration of life of one of entertainment's most renowned performers, This is It is simply one of the best films of its kind. Sony has rolled out the red carpet for This is It; the Blu-ray presentation features a true-to-the-many-sources 1080p transfer, a pristine lossless soundtrack, and solid array of extra materials. Highly recommended.
2009
2009
Two-Disc Limited Edition
2009
Two-Disc Limited Edition
2009
Two-Disc Limited Edition
2009
3D Enhanced Edition | Sony Exclusive
2009
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