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Michael Jackson’s This Is It
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Written by Jake Meyers-Snowball
Grade: A
When Michael Jackson died, the world wept. His passing marked the end of one of the most inspiring, incredible and passionate musical legacies of all time. However, it was only recently that I understood this, for until I was dragged to see This Is It I thought of him as just another talented artist who lost their mind and, in his case, did naughty things with children.
After seeing the movie, my entire perspective on Jackson changed instantly. The movie is a documentation of his rehearsal for the last tour he would ever do. It was Michael’s last hoorah and his 50 shows in London sold out within minutes.
The film opens with several interviews with hopefuls auditioning to be Jackson’s backup dancers. From these interviews alone, people like myself can get a real grasp on how much people really cared for and looked up to Michael Jackson, not to mention all the people bawling their eyes out next to me in the theater. The film includes run-throughs of fifteen of his most popular songs, from “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” to “Man in the Mirror”. In his spectacular orange jeans and sparkling silver blazer, Jackson practices his dances, his vocals, and his stage direction while perfecting the lighting, re-mastered music and stage props. The audience is constantly mesmerized as he and his dancers effortlessly step and glide across the stage. One of the main aspects that make the movie so great is that it shows the true backstage of putting on a show as spectacular as this was to be. Jackson often stops the music and interjects his ideas for the music, his cues and his edits. The film also shows the incredible band that supports him onstage as well share in its own spotlight.
Jackson is a true genius in his craft. The movie does an amazing job of showing real insight into his life. It shows how he really is, how he really interacts with people and how he “does his thing,” contrary to the crap the media puts out about him. Jackson is in no way the “freak show” that people make him out to be. Rather, the film shows that he is gentle and kind. My feet were tapping the entire two hours and I was left wanting more, enabling me to really understand and feel the sorrow associated with his death.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It was one of the best movies I have seen in long time. The movie was said to be out for an exclusive two weeks only but is still in theaters today. I’m assuming the movie has or will be extended but if not, I strongly suggest you take advantage of the opportunity now.
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November 30th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I agree entirely. I think that for our generation, Jackson’s talent was greatly undermined by his weird quirks. The “creepy children stories” that we were all exposed to always made me see him as another screwed up celebrity. His many instances of plastic surgery didn’t exactly help my opinion of him either. After seeing the movie, however, I see him as extremely gifted and inspiring.
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