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"This Is It" offers a legacy of inspiration (film review)
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From the moment I was walking into the movie theatre this past Monday to see the Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It," a woman who was just coming out of the previous showing saw my movie badge around my neck (which by the way they give you as a keeper's item when you go see this documentary) and said to me with so much passion in her eyes, "You're gonna love it! You, are gonna love it!" There were other movie patrons around me inside the theatre, once I got a good seat, that were genuinely excited for this movie to start and ever so patiently (anxiously, really) waiting for the 10 or so previews that were shown before the film to end and get the party started.
The first song in the opening of the documentary is the hit classic "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" which was featured on his 1982 sixth studio album Thriller. Inside the theatre all around me, there were people tapping their feet to the music throughout the film, and sometimes even raising their arms dancing in their seats. That funky, enchanting bass that begins that song immediately tugged at my heart and I was a bit teary-eyed already...and the film had just begun! So many emotions are captured in this documentary by the film's maker Kenny Ortega, by Michael, by the crew involved, by the incredibly talented dancers that were to perform in this concert in London just days after his death, and by the music. The heart of everything in Michael's career was the music. Forget the allegations, speculations, the name calling, the tabloids, the eccentricity—Michael Jackson will always and forever be simply about the music.
The film is a simple film, not highly produced since this footage was never intended to be shown publicly, but as archive video for Michael's collection. It is one big collage of rehearsals and this in itself, is the magic of "This Is It." Rarely do you get to see such a prominent artist at work in such an intimate setting, rehearsing, testing things out, brainstorming, playful and off the public eye. "This Is It", is process. Process in it's finest form, which is why I see so many artists around Los Angeles being thoroughly inspired by this documentary. Inspired by a fellow artist who always showed so much passion for his work, so much drive, commitment and perfection. Perfecting after perfecting, all of this is captured in this film. Watching Michael on screen I really felt every artist out there, every dancer, singer, designer, song writer, actor, musician...all of them embodied in this one petite and fragile man. He carried so many of these artists on his shoulders. This is why I never got the feeling that this film was made just so that the producers could make money, but as a gift from Michael to his fans, because they knew, being so close to him, that this is what he would of wanted. Of course they made money with this documentary, but I truly believe the intention was honestly for the fans to get to see, at least in this rehearsal footage, all the blood, sweat and tears Michael had put into this concert that he was secretly hard at work on, all for his fans which he loved so much.
Watching Michael perform during these rehearsals. I saw all the ways in which artists like Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown and all the many others who have borrowed and strived for even a taste of the talent Michael was gifted with, were inspired. How at such a young age back in the Jackson 5 could an artist know so much from within about music, dancing, lyrics, and process? And some of the things he says in this documentary when working with his crew really gives you a sense that this man was on a whole other level, channeling something much higher and more beautiful than the tough life and scrutiny he was dealt in his career.
Some of the highlights in the film for me were as I mentioned, the peephole view into his process; the new footage that was shot for the "Thriller" performance; the new footage that was shot for the "Smooth Criminal" performance featuring vintage footage of Rita Hayworth as "Gilda"; his fabulous clothing he wore (and this was just for rehearsal!); his beautiful duet with back-up singer Judith Hill of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"; and all the dancing, dancing, dancing. Which leads me to the back-up dancers...he gathered I would imagine the finest, best dancers in the world that he could find because let me tell you, these were top notch, never-miss-a-step-or a-beat dancers. I think any dancer, producer or singer out there would of dropped absolutely anything for a chance to work with the King of Pop...and that he was. I was in London on the night of his death and got to see throughout the next few days, the great love and respect that city had for Michael Jackson, even more so than I'd ever seen here in the states where he was constantly misunderstood. It was apparent from conversations on the streets, from news channels, newspapers and all the altars and dedications popping up all over the city, including one in front of the Lyric Theatre where Thriller The Musical was currently playing, and in front of the O2 Arena were the final 50 concerts were to be performed.
I left that theatre on Monday night after watching "This Is It" first of all, not wanting his image and his dancing to ever end, but alas, he rests in a better place now; but also feeling so much love, drive and motivation from his art, and how he not only affected people of today, people in the past, but how he continues to inspire the newer youth generation that have only recently gotten to know about Michael Jackson and will now keep his magic and his music alive in the future. "This is it. Final curtain call." And MJ, you shall indeed be missed. Thank you for offering your legacy of inspiration to us all.
Tickets are still available to see the film in theatres for about one more week, and will be made available on Blue Ray and DVD after that. For more information on listings in your area visit moviefone.com.
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