Michael Jackson's This Is It

TinCan TV

We were prepared for an over sentimental glorification of all things Michael Jackson when we went to watch This Is It. It was with relief and surprise that we discovered that wasn't going to be the case

Instead of taking the opportunity to paint Jackson as a saint amongst men, a musical messiah who shall be as venerated in death as he was misundestood in life, director Kenny Ortega has produced a lasting document that will for many restore Jackson as a genius musician, a creative force to be reckoned with and an unbelieveably talented dancer.  That man was fifty and he could still move better than dancers half his age.

By stripping the film of any sentimentality and concentrating soley on rehearsals for the shows that were destined never to happen, Ortega reveals Jackson to be hands on, determined, professional and innovative.  What's odd is why we are so surprised that this genius lay hidden under the 'complexities' that dogged his latter years.  The child abuse, the plastic surgery, the law suits, the parentage of his children, the marriages and the divorces... all this tabloid fodder helped the world forget what Jackson was originally celebrated for. 

This Is It is a more fitting tribute than any memorial service or TV special because we are reminded of why Michael Jackson was propelled to mega star status in the first place, the madness and mayhem that followed being a bi-product of the life he susequently led.

It's interesting to see the calm yet steely manner he takes with his musicians and dancers and it would take a hard hearted person not to be moved by the dancers plight following Jackson's death.  For all, the opportunity to work with Jackson was 'the pinnacle' 'a dream come true'.  HIs death was a tragedy for his family and a cruel twist of fate for the principals who were to join him on stage.

What This Is It shows though is that that London was going to host one hell of a show and that Jackson's comeback was never going to let anybody down, not the promoters, the fans and definitely not Jackson himself.

Tags: michael jackson this is it 

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