I'm sorry to start with an expletive, but that's the word that I kept thinking to myself as I watched This Is It. I cursed Michael Jackson's premature death and the loss to entertainment. I cursed my unappreciative self for ever forgetting how amazing MJ was. Most of all though I cursed anyone who has bagged the film for being "fake".
And what a ridiculous criticism that is. The argument is that from 100 hours of footage, the 1 hour 51 minutes that made the cut has been chosen to paint Michael in a good light and has ignored that errors, the tears and the other negative aspects of the four month rehearsal period. Well no freaking kidding! Name me one film or even album where the worst cuts get picked and released to the public as finished product. Morons!
To me, This Is It just brought home what an amazing, amazing performer Michael Jackson was. Here's a man of 50 who can still dance better than I will ever be able to and has maintained his voice to a standard that no one will ever replicate. He still had it. Anyone who would have seen one of his 50 shows on the This Is It tour were in for a treat. A concert of epic proportions was in store.
We're painted a picture of a Michael Jackson who's a perfectionist. He's demanding and he knows what he wants. I certainly wouldn't want to mess up while performing for him. He's also forever apologising for his own mistakes, warning people in advance that he's saving his voice, or hasn't warmed up. Truth be told, for most of this film he's giving it 50%, just working on getting the musicians, the dancers, the lighting techs and everyone else involved in the production, up to his standards. He knew he'd get it right (after 40 years performing some of the numbers, no surprises there!) but even at half-strength he's the only one who matters. Such charisma.
Half documentary, half concert and fleshed out with some of the animations and clips to be used at the live concerts. While capturing the essence of a behind-the-scenes making of a music concert, it's all about Michael and his music. I was blown away and left with an overwhelming sense of loss for us all. What a star he was.
Why didn't I buy a ticket for one of his 50 shows? I guess you just don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. See this movie. It's entertainment at it's best.
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