14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday marked the return of the “original MTV family,” the Jackson family, to the music channel. The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards featured, aside from a touching dance and singing tribute to the late King of Pop, led by none other than sister Janet, a first look at the film made of footage shot during rehearsals for “This Is It,” what was supposed to be Michael’s fabulous comeback to the music stage thanks to the London residency, as MTV can confirm.
“This Is It,” the docu-film, will be released in theaters this October and on DVD after a limited theatrical run. Last night, fans got to see what exactly went on behind closed doors during the much-mediated rehearsals that took place at the Staples Center. Much has been said about Michael and what his plans for the London O2 concerts were, but, clearly, few actually expected something this grand as the first trailer shows.
“On Sunday night (September 13), MTV exclusively debuted the trailer for ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’ at the 2009 Video Music Awards. Featuring the fallen icon’s signature dance moves, blasting his classic tunes, offering insight into his creative process, the trailer makes for a riveting viewing experience. Yet it also brings more than a tinge of sadness. The King of Pop is gone, and we’ll never get to see the comeback concerts for which he was rehearsing so intensely.” MTV says of the release.
As fans already know, the film is made of scenes cut from the over 100 hours of footage shot during rehearsals. It shows not only Michael, but also details as regards props and choreography, in what is meant as one final look at who the singer was as an entertainer and, ultimately, a man. His love of dancing and performing is obvious even in the short trailer aired by MTV, with Michael saying towards the end of the clip that, “It’s all for love. L.O.V.E.”
“Culled from more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’ makes clear just how big a production Jackson was planning for his comeback shows at London’s O2 arena. Inside Los Angeles’ Staples Center, where he was rehearsing, Jackson addressed dancers, producers and the crew helping to make his vision a reality. ‘It’s an adventure – it’s a great adventure,’ he told everyone. ‘We want to take them places they’ve never been before. I want to show them talent like they’ve never seen before.’” MTV further writes of the trailer.
To get an idea of just how big and impressive “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” will be when it arrives in theaters, check out the trailer below.