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>> A SOMETIMES PAINFUL INSIDE LOOK AT THE KING OF POP'S LAST STAND
New movie reviews
Date published: 11/5/2009
"MICHAEL JACKSON'S STARRING: MICHAEL JACKSON, KENNY ORTEGA RUNNING TIME: 99 min. Diehard Jackson fans will love this look at him getting ready for a hopefully career-reviving string of concerts. And even those who simply like some of Jackson's tunes will be fascinated by this behind-the-scenes look at the consummate performer getting ready for shows that spare nothing in video bits and pageantry. But there's something inherently sad about this whole project--largely because it captures Jackson and a group It's also becomes a bit disappointing that although you get to see how Jackson practices and injects his creative touch in every aspect of the performance--down to when the lights come up, the music pauses or the bass line intensifies--he's not really giving his all here. Indeed, he apologizes several times to the crew that becomes his audience for holding back, noting that he's saving his voice and his body for the string of performances he knows will take a toll. That means you get him ripping into part of a song here or there, but simply filling in a few notes and phrases in others, more intent on getting his stage marks and timing than belting out a lyric every second. It's enough of a record to give viewers a taste of what might have been--and provides the opportunity to show video clips made for the concerts that range from Jackson doing a black-and-white Bogart movie bit to a sweet piece about a native girl threatened by the destruction of the rainforest. We get to see performers and dancers who are thrilled to just get the chance to share the stage with the most famous of the Jacksons. And we get to see some pretty good musicians readying for the show. But even in Jackson's interactions with the other musicians and the dancers, he comes off as halting and more than a bit removed, finding it difficult to respond to even his longtime friend Kenny Ortega on something as simple as the volume being too high in his earpiece. Yes, most will be glad they made this, to give serious and even passing fans of Jackson one last chance to see what a gifted performer he was. But it's hard not to note that all these big hits were written and first performed long ago. And that the proceeds from this film were probably sorely needed to pay off the cost of putting together the concerts that no one got the chance to see. Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images. 111 min. [RF, RA, M]
Date published: 11/5/2009
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