MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT was way less creepy than I expected. I was honestly anticipating watching two hours of a gaunt and frail man walking the Staple Center stage, unable to breathe and keep up with the music he made famous. Fortunately the sickness and fragility he experienced was not seen by the audience. He was lively, happy, and most surprisingly encouraging to all his dancers and musicians. He lived for the stage and the moments that he was on it, he lighted up and “sizzled.” This man was born to perform and the moments that I would pull myself out of the movie and remember he was no more were the most tragic.

These were private tapes that were never meant to be seen by anyone other than MJ (as those close to him called him) and I think that he would have liked it to be kept that way. The majority of the film splices together rehearsal performances, however there are interviews with his dancers, musicians, costumers, and other production staffers. MJ spent so much of his adult life keeping the public a safe distance from his personal life, so it was a treat to be able to step in and watch his mastery. He was charming, childlike, and completely and totally in love with music and his fans. Every decision he made to tweak his performances was always for his fans, and he made sure to get everyone working with him to feel the same passion and love. His love will be missed.