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Michael Jackson's This Is it is bittersweat
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Courtesy AEG
I was not very excited about going to see the movie, This Is It, a behind-the-scenes documentary of Michael Jackson rehearsals for the 50 concerts that would have taken place this summer at London’s 02 Arena. Part of me was not ready to see Michael Jackson live and large on the big screen; another part knew that MJ did not give permission for this footage to be shown to the public. Michael Jackson was a perfectionist and held tight reigns on the image and the presentation of his craft. The rehearsal footage shown in this film was meant for Jackson’s personal library. He always filmed rehearsals, so he could review the footage in order to decide what in his shows needed modifying or correcting. I can not imagine it being acceptable to him that his fans see the footage of his preparation without them also being able to view the polished finished product. A comment from one of my readers also kept running through my mind…who stands to profit from this film? AEG (MJ’s concert promoters), Sony (owners of the film rights), Kenny Ortega (director of the concert and film), Frank DiLeo (MJ's manager) are all getting paid well from the making and distributing of this film, but once the film’s profits pass 135 million, 90% of the profit goes to Michael Jackson’s estate. Is Michael Jackson again being exploited…yes…but…
But once you table these specifics and tuck away your grief, you open yourself up to enjoy an amazing film. Though Jackson was very thin, it is obvious he was healthy and strong. He was in charge of this production, and all of the singers, musicians, dancers and crew deferred to his genius even Ortega. Jackson oversaw every aspect of this show from costume selection to special effects, to selecting the dancers, to guiding the musicians in their solos. He knew exactly what he wanted and got exactly what he wanted without losing his patience or becoming dictatorial, and he spoke barely above a whisper. He was incredible, a lesson in leadership. It did not hurt to have exceptional artists working on the production. The dancers and some of the singers and musicians were spotlighted and spoke of how honored they were to perform with Michael Jackson, their excitement in being part of the concert and how he had inspired them. One of the dancers was not only excited about being in the concert, but he was looking forward to the energy and camaraderie backstage once the show started. (...my sadness was reappearing.)
But…it was clear in watching this film that this was not going to be just a show but an extravaganza. It was to have fireworks, aerialists, 3D effects and other phenomenal special effects. During Thriller, ghosts were to fly through the large audience on cables. Smooth Criminal was going to be an astonishing number. Using old film footage of Rita Hayward’s Gilda and the gangster roles of Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart, Jackson and his team created a mini film. Jackson is in a nightclub watching Gilda, but Bogart and Robinson are offended by his presence, and they chase him and try to gun him down. Jackson escapes and crashes through a window, and he is miraculously on stage, ready to start the dance portion of the Smooth Criminal number. I would have loved to have seen that live. (Smooth Criminal is my favorite Michael Jackson video.) At the conclusion of the film, my grief would no longer be abated, I felt sad at what could have been, what should have been and what would never be. But…I am glad I saw the film, and I am glad it was released. At this point, it does not matter who profits from the film. The movie is here, and it pays great homage to Michael Jackson. It shows him at his best and happiest, and it is comforting to know his last days were on stage. He did this concert in order to share the performer side of himself with his children, a side they had never seen live. They have requested to see this film, so perhaps MJ will receive a benefit from This Is It after all.
For more info:
Smooth Criminal video click here
This Is it official Trailer click here
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