Michael Jackson's "This Is It" has grossed over $144 million dollars world-wide, with the numbers only growing. Add this to the fact that The King of Pop now has a Billboard Number 1 hit, and his best first week sales since the album HIStory in 1995. Unfortunately, this amazing comeback all stems from the tragedy of his death this past summer.
A fitting tribute, a final gift for fans, a greedy way to make money off of tragedy; the memorabilia of Michael Jackson has been called these things and more. "This Is It," distributed by Sony Corp-owned Columbia Pictures, was produced from footage of Jackson rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts in London in his final weeks.
After opening October 28, the film was only supposed to play for two weeks, but (surprise!) it was extended until early December. And why not? Michael Jackson had a combination of a compelling, tragic, unfathomable lifestyle that his fans have been wanting to share with him for decades. Whether you love or hate Michael Jackson, there is no way to argue that his lifestyle is not one that has been a curiosity for as long as one can remember, at least in my generation.
The film is definitely something to be seen at least once, with a glimpse into Michael's soul. There are moments that you feel utter sadness for him; and other times, happiness and enthusiasm. His old classics bring back memories for everyone, and those memories are usually happy times of dancing to "Thriller" and singing to "Black or White".
I do not feel as though the soundtrack and film "This Is It" is made to exploit Michael Jackson, but there are definitely other reasons to feel that he is being exploited, even after put to rest. In my opinion, these things include the new Jackson family reality show coming out this December, and a televised seance in early November with a famous British psychic.