This is It, the documentary that records the last days of Michael Jackson, proves that he was brilliant. The show was just two weeks from taking stage in Europe in front of sold-out audiences. The movie captures a genius at work. Michael was at home on stage.
He commanded it. He walked it, owned it, like a panther stalking prey. He knew every inch of the stage. It was his, and there's no denying it.
Michael's imagination was dazzling, his creativity unmatched. He was an all around entertainer, ultimate performer and quite the producer. The show that never was, was going to be masterful with its use of multimedia, computerization and other props. The This is It audience gets to see the behind the scenes manpower it takes to produce such a show.
A perfect example: In a scene, the performer went from the graveyard, the hood, and the sexy flirt to a black and white movie featuring Cagney and Bogart in a gangster scene, to the jungle. Michael is right at the table with James Cagney. Bogart chases him with a gun in the staircase. He flirts with dancing Rita Hayward. It's amazing and catches you totally off guard. It is the unexpected.
Old school.
Michael dances as only he can, and you realize his perfection as you watch the other dancers approach his steps. They do them, and they do them well, but he outdances them all. What has age got to do with it? You can move or you can't. You've got it or you don't. And he did. He had the magic "it," whatever it is. He sought dancers from all over the world, and they came, they performed MJ's steps, and they were glad to be on the set. You saw the many hours of rehearsal and planning behind every step. You saw the training that makes it all look so natural. He was great and at his very best. His energy flowed like magic.
Michael knew his music. He took his music and created new music, new steps, new scenery. He was casually dressed in his own very unique style. This performance, this show had everything in it. He let it be known that he loved his family. He paid tribute to them all. He was sexy and showed the flirtatiousness between a man and a woman. He raised questions that were important to him from race relations to environmental issues. He was magnificent. He knew when a note should be held longer. He had his groove. He did it all with such grace. He knew how to preserve his voice. He had his rhythm. His brilliance shines throughout this movie as it captures you from the very beginning to the very end. He showed no signs of illness or weakness. He danced. He sang. He owned the stage. He shone.
He gave it his best and his all. The show was powerful. And even though we will never see it, you can imagine it would have, undeniably, played to rave reviews, because the movie is a mere rehearsal -- not even a dress rehearsal, just rehearsal, after rehearsal to make for a perfect show. The emotions are mixed. You know it is the last show. You realize it is the show that never was. You watch his finality. You smile and cry.
The other magnificence of Michael was that he was (and still is) a moneymaker. He was universal -- a definite cross over. A man for all countries. This is It has made more money overseas than in the United States. It will surely surpass the original planned two weeks. In week one, the film reportedly made $32.5 million; the overseas total is $68.5 million. This is why the concert was targeted to these countries first.
He was gifted, talented and amazingly awesome.
You saw none of his sadness and gloom of suffering. He was upbeat and on it. And if you go to the movies without dancing or taping your feet, there is something deeply wrong you. If you watch This Is It without moving, go straight to the cemetery. No matter how old or how young you are, this is a must-see movie. It is historic, but most of all, it's an opportunity to see a genius at work. The movie pays homage to a man and his music. Bravo, MJ for a performance well done.