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AP
Barry Gordy writes in the introduction of the newly re-released Michael Jackson memoir 'Moonwalk':
“Michael Jackson was not an artist who comes along once in a decade, a generation, or a lifetime. He was an artist who comes along only once, period. He was the consummate student. He studied the greats and became greater. He raised the bar and then BROKE the bar.” No where is this truth more evident than in the Michael Jackson documentary ‘This Is It.’
On
Most every entertainer today has been inspired by Michael Jackson; motivated by his professionalism, his artistry, and his creativity. The world will be inspired still by ‘This Is It’ and the monumental tour that would have been.
‘This Is It’ starts out with the dancers (hand-picked by Michael Jackson to be part of the tour), most of whom were fighting back tears, discussing how much it meant to them, and how inspired they have been by his music, and what they had to go through for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bring their dream to fruition. One such dancer in particular from
‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ offers a look into the perfectionism that Michael Jackson expected of himself. When rehearsing with his musical director Michael Bearden,
‘Beat It’ (features Michael Jackson back on the Cherry picker), a “monumental” site as Kenny Ortega pointed out; and ‘Black Or White’ showcases Michael Jackson’s new guitarist Orianthi Panagaris. She will be someone to watch out for. MJ expected the best in his musicians, and ‘This Is It’ shows that that is exactly what he received.
‘Earth Song’ has always been a song that conveyed one of Michael’s most fervent messages, the Earth needs healing. It pained MJ to know that the size of a football field in the Rainforest is cut down every minute. In the film Michael says, “I respect the secrets and magic of nature. I write songs like this [Earth Song] to raise some awareness, an awakening, and hope to people. I feel the planet is trying desperately to compensate for man’s mismanagement. The planet is sick – like a fever. We have four years to make a change or else it will be irreversible. It’s up to us to make a change or else it will never be done.” ‘Earth Song’ features a beautiful setting with a little girl, ‘Earth Girl’ who is wandering in the forest after a butterfly. She falls asleep to find her atmosphere completely changed to fire and ruin by a large bulldozer. It is extremely powerful imagery – something that will stay in the minds of all that watch.
The film moves onto the quintessential ‘Billie Jean’. With only the dancers, Kenny Ortega and crew watching MJ – to say that the audience was captivated would be an understatement and even Ortega was compelled to tell him, “I’m a fan.” Regardless of the number of times that one saw Michael Jackson perform the classic song and dance, it is always new and exciting; a testament to the presence that emerged out of MJ whenever he danced. This heightened musical intelligence enabled him to fulfill his ongoing and never-ending purpose that has had and will continue to have a ripple effect on the lives of millions. He was a singing and dancing expression of the inner passion that flowed everlastingly within him. The film ends with ‘Man In the Mirror.’ Judith Hill, the singer who sang the ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ duet with Michael, reveals that ‘Man In The Mirror’ is the first song that she sang in the third grade, and that it was such an honor to be able to sing it with him on stage. The last sequence is of Michael, Ortega, dancers and crew in a circle, saying a closing prayer to their day. Ortega gives his thanks and passes the Microphone to Michael who says, “Believe and have faith. This is nothing to be nervous about. It is a great adventure. We have to remind people to bring love back into the world. We are all one, and I love you all.” The screen freezes with Michael Jackson in a dance pose, looking up. The words: “Michael Jackson. King of Pop. Love lives forever,” read across the screen. A powerful ending to a film that shows a side to MJ that was rarely seen – but family, friends, and true fans knew existed.
For innumerable people around the world, it is anything but easy to accept Michael Jackson’s passing, but knowing that his legacy of music, love and philanthropy will live forever, makes the loss somewhat transcendental. Michael Jackson is now part of everything, and part of everyone. Love lives forever. Michael lives on forever in the quantum sea of pure consciousness.
What did YOU think of 'This Is It'?
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Comments
A very well written article. One of the few which does not deride Michael. I am glad that This is it is being shown through out the world. The gentleness of MJ, his consideration for others, his love of nature, his love for his fans all shines through.Mj has suffered enough in this world, with being ridiculed and being made the butt of obscene jokes. Its only now that the media is praising him.His life was made hell by the media.People like Diane Dimond, Diane Sawyer and Bashir built their careers on him after trampling on his soul.For a sensitive person like MJ each attack was like a crucifixion.He never recovered from it.I don't know why it is anyone's business how many plastic surgeries he's had.RIP, MJ.
I thought this is it was good.
But he looked very very weeak, and pathetic (Not his dancing and singing, but his longing to have people love him and look up to him)
I am a huge fan but this is it made me sad because he looked to skinny, some of his dance moves just weren't there, and it reminded me of how lonely he was.
Hes michael jackson. He will never lose his incredible talent to sing, dance, and perform. But what he did lose was that incredible power behind each move, as he seemed much weeker than the reharsals of say, the history tour.
Great article Katrina, your review is one of the few I've enjoyed to read. You describe a well rounded spectrum of the "This Is It" movie, great choice of words and perfect interpretation of the legacy and message this event leaves to the world. It's very hard for contemporaries to recognize greatness on a human being, most of the time it takes generational healing and perspective to understand a message, to simply detach the message from the messenger. I love MJ for trying, for using his musical genius to convey to us powerful feelings like love, understanding, respect for our planet, respect for our neighbor's rights, while at the same time entertaining our soul like nobody has done before, as to make sure we would listen...
I am pleased that people are happy about the movie and that it is drawing all types of people. The estate seems to need to bring in the money.
It was worth watching this once-in-a-lifetime event. But, I cannot honestly say I liked the movie. Maybe it was the acoustics of the theater and the view. Sometimes the music was too loud and Michael Jackson’s voice was lost in the sound. Maybe seeing it at an Imax will be better. Maybe it was the reactions of the members of the nearby audience. I guess the best way to describe how I feel is I did not feel satisfied when the movie ended. Do I need to see it again, and then decide? Having two or (hopefully) three more hours of footage in the DVD might help.
Hopefully one day, an honest, true documentary will result from the footage that was not used and the story that isn’t being told. That should be separate project. Right now it’s about celebrating, embracing the exceptional showman, artist, and singer and mourning OUR loss.
Saw This Is It 8 times in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The film was skillfully edited and I really enjoyed it. Obviously, since I watched it 8 times. He still danced & sang pretty good for a 50 yr old man. Its unfair to compare him with the History Tour. He was in his late 30's. Overall, very well made film. Looking forward to buying the Blu Ray DVD. Miss you, MJ.
Weak? Pathethic? Must not be the same Michael & movie I've seen 35 times + counting so far. I'd have loved to move in my 30s the way he does at 50.
What I saw was joy, exhuberance, giving it his all, concentration, conserving his voice/moves sometimes as performers are supposed to do in rehearsals. Must be the eye of the beholder - dark-colored glasses.
Weak? Pathethic? Must not be the same Michael & movie I've seen 35 times + counting so far. I'd have loved to move in my 30s the way he does at 50.
What I saw was joy, exhuberance, giving it his all, concentration, conserving his voice/moves sometimes as performers are supposed to do in rehearsals. Must be the eye of the beholder - dark-colored glasses.
I loved the movie, it was a rare look at a true artist behind the scenes in his last performance. When he sang "Man In The Mirror" at the end and the closing credits rolled and "This Is It" played I could not hold back the tears and was overcome with so much emotion. People in the theater were crying around me and no one moved. I had to get up from my seat and leave cause I knew I was gonna totally lose it and I don't like crying in public places. Never experienced anything like this in a movie theater before. I have never grieved for any celebrity who died the way I have mourned the death of Michael Jackson. It's just unreal. He is the most fascinating person who ever lived (at least in my lifetime and I'm close to 50 years old) in my opinion. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way cause I read people's comments online all the time. He was definitely my generation's Elvis. Then again, when Elvis died back when I was 17 years old I don't remember this reaction to his death.
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