Just got back from seeing Michael Jackson's "This is It". Run, don't walk, to your nearest theater and SEE THIS MOVIE.
In case you have been living under a rock, this is the movie that was made from the footage shot during rehearsals for what would have been a 50-concert final public performance for the genius that is Michael Jackson. The movie is a documentary, really, giving us mortals a glimpse into the world around Michael Jackson. It is quite amazing to realize you are seeing something that only a few dozen people have ever seen. Unless you were among the lucky few to be chosen as dancers, or in his band or production crew, you would never be able to see Jackson in rehearsal. I said to my friend, "This is the most we have ever heard him speak." This is the chance for you to see him in a casual way, making jokes, chatting with people, insisting on perfection (but always "with love") and just being himself, as normal as you can be when you are so blessed and so burdened.
He was very thin, yes, and dressed in some crazy outfits - but to be fair, so were the back up dancers. The thing is, this 50-year old man was not only keeping up with dancers half his age, he was putting them to shame. He still had it - the moves, the voice, the incredible gift for drama and timing. He was absolutely throwing his whole self into a celebration of his relationship with his fans.
You see and hear the music and the dancing, of course, but you also see the films and special effects that were developed for this concert but never used. A revamped version of the graveyard scene from Thriller (in 3D), an army of dancers created with CG, a film noir back-drop for "Smooth Criminal," a lush rainforest being destroyed. The rainforest scene includes an impassioned speech where Jackson pleads with us to listen to our planet and respect it, before it's too late. Just spine-tingling.
The other thing that stuck me was how truly loving, gentle and spiritual this man was. I find myself thinking more and more about his children, and how harsh their world must be without him.
Seeing this movie makes you know, for sure, that there will never be another entertainer like Michael Jackson. As my friend said, it is just a crying shame that we are seeing this because he's gone.
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I saw the movie last Friday night...it was AMAZING!!! A former dancer myself, it was even more incredible. All I kept thinking to myself was, "What an incredible chance of a lifetime for the selected few - not to mention simply auditioning in front of 'the man'."
ReplyDeleteThroughout the movie, I felt cheated and upset with myself that I never took an opportunity to see him in concert while he was around. Even if the excuse was "it's too expensive", or "he wasn't playing in a town near me."..... Damnit!!! I could kick myself. At least the film made you feel as if you were in the front row of the show.
He was thin - yes. But then again, he always was. And the clothes, well - short pants, white socks, black shoes, shoulder-padded jackets, along with the "glove", were his trademarks. And the fact that he wore them all (minus the glove) throughout ALL his demanding, sweat-inducing rehearsals spoke volumes - showing that EVERY SINGLE DAY is a dress-rehearsal - going full-out, giving it his all EVERY time. Even when he states duing the film, "please forgive me, I'm trying to reserve my voice", he's singing beautifully. Wow.... What an example he was setting. Amazing
I left feeling somewhat sad. Sad, because he was such a broken soul, and he was constantly scrutinized for his 'oddities'. That broken soul only had love to give - and it's quite apparent after you see the film. I too, thought of his children. How sad. But, his spirit will live on forever.