I went to see this with my 25 year old son - he is a Michael Jackson fan and I'm not particularly.
But I did know all the songs in the show (even if I've never been able to hear the words clearly). And, on the basis of this film, it would have been a spectacular show which would have enthralled and entertained me all the way through. There is absolutely no doubt that Jackson was a prodigious talent, and these rehearsals give the lie to any speculation that he was unfit or burnt out: this film shows a consummate professional at the very top of his game performance-wise, and in complete charge of every element of what was to be presented to the audience.
Being a film assembled from rehearsal footage, it follows that there is no audience, the performances presented are, by their very nature, not finalised, Jackson is often not in costume (although the dancers usually are), and the various production effects are shown in development rather than in performance.
And, more than anything else, one is reminded that Jackson is no longer here: his absence is the very reason this film exists.
It is a very worthwhile document and I suspect that time will enhance its entertainment value.
I make no comment on Jackson's personal life: this film shows clearly how major a loss he is as a professional performer.
But I did know all the songs in the show (even if I've never been able to hear the words clearly). And, on the basis of this film, it would have been a spectacular show which would have enthralled and entertained me all the way through. There is absolutely no doubt that Jackson was a prodigious talent, and these rehearsals give the lie to any speculation that he was unfit or burnt out: this film shows a consummate professional at the very top of his game performance-wise, and in complete charge of every element of what was to be presented to the audience.
Being a film assembled from rehearsal footage, it follows that there is no audience, the performances presented are, by their very nature, not finalised, Jackson is often not in costume (although the dancers usually are), and the various production effects are shown in development rather than in performance.
And, more than anything else, one is reminded that Jackson is no longer here: his absence is the very reason this film exists.
It is a very worthwhile document and I suspect that time will enhance its entertainment value.
I make no comment on Jackson's personal life: this film shows clearly how major a loss he is as a professional performer.