RSS
Home
'This Is It' through a Latin eye
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
It is not far fetched to say that every Latin music dancer would love to be able to execute body isolation moves the way Michael Jackson could. Chances are, for example, that those Salsa dancers one sees spinning multiple times on one spot may have gotten the idea from the spins of the talented M.J. himself.
After watching This Is It one understands why Jackson would be a motivational force for any music artist - be it a performer, singer, songwriter, or dancer. As Phillip Enriquez, a Salsa dancer aficionado, said in reaction to the movie, "[M.J.] will motivate and inspire you. Not only because of his gift as an entertainer, but because of his work ethic. You will see a glimpse of his meticulous and amazing attention to detail." And, in fact, This Is It shows a Jackson involved with much more than just singing. One can see him directing his principal dancers and back-up singers, queueing in and instructing the musicians about specific tempos and sounds, and more.
A man quite controversial in life, he is still a touchy subject in death. "Has everyone forgotten the horrible things he was accused of?" is asked plenty within the Latin community. Truthfully, some are even refusing to watch This Is It on account of the question marks that followed Jackson's life.
However, acknowledging that all opinions are valid, it must be said that This Is It is not a documentary about the man's life, but a series of moments recorded during the preparations of what was intended to be a mindblowing concert. The M.J. the film shows is not the guy with the Disney-like house but the musical genius - the one who makes one's legs move unconsciously to the beat of "Beat It," "Thriller," "Billy Jean," and so many other great ones.
Michael Jackson's music may not have permanently affected Latin culture much or at all, but there is no Latino/a who does not know who he was, nor Latin music genre into which at least one of M.J.'s songs has not been converted over.
This Is It is a last look at the man that made the moonwalk famous, white socks with black shoes fashionable, and wearing a glove - a trademark. The one who made us children, then in far away lands, sing along to his songs even as we had no clue of what we were saying.
And to top it with a cherry, in This Is It Michael even speaks Spanish....
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
