Michael Jackson's "This is It" recently retitled: "That Was It?"

For anyone looking for new insights into the mind that was Michael Jackson, and the meticulous pop-science that was his process, forgo This is It and see if you can finds some clips of the good stuff on YouTube. This posthumously released "documentary (?)" does indeed document Michael and company rehearsing for his last concert, but outside of actually seeing some of your favorite hits played, This is It lacks any commentary, hell, any talking, that might give the impression of what it might be like to work with MJ, or how MJ worked. If this wasn't your reason for watching in the first place, don't get excited, there aren't any tantalizing train wrecks either. Just dancing. And singing. Rinse. Repeat. With the exception of various team members saying "He's a genius. And he knows what he wants," one never gets to hear Michael talk about what he wants, which, maybe, he never did. Luckily, 98% of all the substantive talking was used in the theatrical trailer, so that the 10 million (and counting) internet viewers might get the sense that a real documentary was made.



Though idly taping a rehearsal process does not a film make (I fully realize the intention was not for theatrical release) This is It is redeemed somewhat by the fact that MJ was the consummate performer, and therefore, interesting to watch. In the age of VH1 5 second teaser clips, the movie does allow extended viewing of the late great doing his thing, and still doing it well. You will get to see "Smooth Criminal", in its entirety, and then, "Billie Jean", all if it, and then, yep, "Man in the Mirror"...maybe even twice. And with these old standbys, totally new videos. And by new, I mean revamped. And by videos, I mean, heavy handed messages about saving the world. Though it isn't online, just take the time to watch the original "Earth Song" video, and replace MJ with a young girl of ubiquitous ethnicity being chased through her beloved woods by a bulldozer. Feel me? Now imagine that same bulldozer crashing onto stage and MJ stopping it just before it crushes him. I know, you're already on Fandango buying a ticket.

Perhaps the most unique, accidental, commentary is made when we see the bizarre, soft spoken, androgyne MJ, transform into his performer-self, and then back again. When he rehearsed, there was no fucking around. There was sweat flowing out of those oversized lamé coats and skinny pants, soaking into the white socks, and pooling in the black leather shoes. It was nice to see that even in the unseen working hours, MJ kept it MJ, and never resorted to Under Armor and Gatorade for rehearsal.

For those of us that grew up with some version of Michael, This is It provides a cathartic goodbye to one of the best. Or, then again, you could just watch this.