THIS IS IT!

THIS IS IT!


I am one of a privileged group of people who experienced Michael Jackson live in concert over the years (the Victory Tour and The Bad World Tour) up in the mezzanine seats. It had been nearly 20 years since I’d been able to feel the frenzy that flows through one’s body when Michael Jackson is performing live. So when I heard the news that he was getting back on the stage, I was hopeful that all would go well in the 02 Arena and Michael would one day bring his magic back to the the United States, and we would once again experience the thrill of his presence. Then June 25, 2009 came and that hope was dashed to pieces, my heart broken and the magic gone. But not forever.
The announcement of an upcoming Michael Jackson concert documentary film, This Is It!, revived my dream—somewhat. I believed seeing him on a giant IMAX screen, watching him move, hearing him sing, seeing the passion in all of his facial muscles as he performed, would bring back the chills I’d been missing since he’d left the world stage. This week, that dream became a reality.
This Is It is arguably the most anticipated film of this year. The film follows Michael Jackson at work in the final days before his death through behind-the-scenes video shot between March and June of this year. As I watched This Is It!, I was once again fascinated by this great talent. There he was right in front of me—singing, dancing, grunting as only Michael can—and I was frozen with admiration. The thrill was back, only now I wasn’t in the mezzanine—I had a front row seat.
The movie captures the essence of who Michael was as an artist and as a man. It was inspiring to watch Michael direct Michael Bearden playing keyboards; his interaction with vocal director Dorian Holley; his playfulness with dancer Mekia Cox and his raw, passionate duet with Judith Hill. Equally as enchanting was watching Michael move again. His performance of Billy Jean has always been legendary. But I could literally hear the gasps, the pants, the loss of breath as the audience watched the updated version of this MJ classic. It was easy to forget that he was a 50 year-old man on that stage, as he held his own with the 20 year-old dancers, singers and musicians. At one point in the film, I realized that we were watching the talent of a great teacher, and his cast of students performing with him were filled with as much awe and admiration as all of his fans. They were visibly soaking in his genius, clearly feeling the privilege of being a chosen mentee of this master of the stage, cheering at the end of each set. Rare is the opportunity to see this type of brilliance up close.
This Is It! will not disappoint Michael Jackson fans in any way. To his old fans, I say “You will leave the theater smiling, singing and happy.” To his new fans, I say “Go experience the power of his gifts again.” And to everyone, I say “Take the young ones you know to see this film and watch with glee as they sit on the edge of their seats,” just as my nephew and son did when I took them.