"This Is It" a must for Jackson fans

By Samantha Schipman
Staff Writer

In March, Michael Jackson held a press conference in London announcing that he would be playing 50 shows in the city starting in July. This was to be the culmination of his storied career.

Aptly titled “This Is It”, the concerts would be his final bow. Tickets for each show sold out. Just three weeks before the first show, the King of Pop died suddenly as he was to embark on the biggest set of performances of his career.

Shortly afterwards, AEG, who was putting on these shows, decided to show the world what Jackson had been working so diligently for. Over 120 hours of footage had been captured, mostly for home video. At midnight on Oct. 27, "This Is It" made its worldwide debut. The movie is a combination documentary- concert film. It shows dancer auditions, interviews and meticulous rehearsals. The film also shows the passion and perfection that Jackson strived for.

About 16 songs are used in the rehearsal stages, including a Jackson 5 medley. Also featured is a new song, also titled “This Is It”.

Jackson is very precise in the way he wants the songs to sound. He says that they are performing fan favorites and that the songs should sound exactly like the record. At one point,he is correcting a musical director and tells him, “I say this with love. L-O-V-E.” Jackson is also very encouraging to those around him. His presence exuberates love and positivity.

The film also shows some of the elaborate numbers that were being planned. The filmed opening for “Thriller” takes place in a cemetery. His dancers are dressed as an array of ghoulish characters. It is much like the landmark video, but with a fresh update. The dancers in character provide a dancing backdrop on stage with Jackson. “Earth Song” shows a young girl frolicking in a lush, green field. After a nap, she finds a changed world. Jackson sends a message of what
will happen if we don’t change the way we treat our world.

“Smooth Criminal” is a complete 180. Jackson “appears” in a film with Humphrey Bogart. They are competing for a woman’s
affection and a chase scene ensues. Jackson crashes through a window on screen before appearing on stage to begin singing.

I had been preparing for weeks for the movie premiere by watching the trailer. However, I was shocked by reaction upon seeing Jackson. I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. This man was alive and seemingly healthy. As he moved about the stage, interacted with dancers and crew, I kept thinking, “This man should not be dead.”

His voice was strong and sounded exactly as it should. He moved with ease, showcasing the dances that made him famous. His own dancers would surround the stage and watch in awe as their hero performed the very moves that they idolized and memorized. The film also reminds us that though Jackson is the greatest entertainer of our generation, he is also human. He was big on family, love, the environment and entertainment.

The film is happy and sad, heartbreaking and inspiring. It will leave you
wishing that this wasn’t it.

"This Is It" can be seen locally at the Regal Union Square 8 Cinema, 1911 Dickerson Blvd., Monroe