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Don't miss it, because "This Is It"
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Michael Jackson during rehearsal for "This Is It"
After months of performances and tributes by Hollywood’s young, seemingly elite, celebrities, Michael Jackson’s legacy was becoming tired and overdone. Seeing another award show with another attempted performance to honor the King of Pop only inspired eye rolls and sighs. Can’t we just let the man rest in peace? Enough is enough.
I was then offered the opportunity to review This Is It. Tickets were selling out and I was thankful for the chance to see Michael perform his own work, and give the tired, young, half-talented tributes a rest. What I anticipated was an emotional, heart-wrenching incredible tribute to what would have been his final performance. What I saw was so much more. It was the performance and tribute his fans deserved.
Opening with interviews from his eleven principle dancers, chosen out of hundreds, set the tone for what would be a mouth dropping documentary about the preparation for his final tour, “This Is It.” The heartfelt confessionals of what it meant to dance with Michael were heartfelt and tragic. They remind the audience that to the creative world, Michael was never “Wacko Jacko.” He was an inspiration.
From that point the movie takes off and doesn’t stop until the credits finish rolling, the theater lights turn on, and you are sitting in your chair with your chin on the floor. Inspired, sad, ashamed, and awed at what you just watched. Inspired to find your old Michael Jackson albums and rock out like you used to when they first came out. Sad because for over two hours it felt like he was still alive and you suddenly remember he’s not, and the rehearsals you just watched will never be realized into a full-blown performance. Ashamed of all the times you ever called him “Wacko Jacko,” because it made you forget how truly talented and gifted he was. And most of all, you are in awe of not who he was as a person, but how truly unique and special he was as a performer.
It is difficult to even begin to review the standout numbers, because it wouldn’t be fair to leave out any of the others. Each is specific, choreographed and directed by Michael with what he continuously refers to as “L-O-V-E.” He hears and sees things in his head that he verbalizes to his musicians and dancers with his body and voice. He may beat box the rhythm he wants the song to reach or he will pantomime and move his body while he conjures up dance moves to incorporate with existing choreography. All the while you cannot believe what your eyes are witnessing. And you suddenly realize your toes are tapping and your head is bobbing to the beat.
One of the most striking and memorable moments in the film comes towards the end while rehearsing “Billy Jean.” Michael is alone on stage, while his dancers are off stage watching him from the audience pit. Clearly they have not been taught the choreography yet, as Michael continues to work out how exactly he would like the dance to look. After all the lyrics have been sung, the music continues as Michael begins to improv dance steps to the final minutes of the song. He pops, locks, drops, moon walks, spins, and every other move coined by the star in such a way that every move looks new and fresh. The song finally ends and everyone in the stadium, most of all his dancers, goes crazy with applause. They have just watched their God perform right in front of their eyes. Michael responds with “At least you get the idea.”
If you have any appreciation for music or dance, this is not a movie you want to miss. You may not even be a Michael Jackson fan, but the artists you are fans of, have most certainly gotten their musical inspiration or back tracks from his songs. It is much more than a movie, it is an experience, and it is one you do not want to miss on the big screen. Because Michael really is gone and we will not see a performance like this ever again. This is it.
The Official Trailer
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