This Is It : It never happened but it did
The film unravels in its ultra-slick avatar, much of what one would have seen in the concert had it happened. And witnessing it with all the helpings of technology for once it makes sense to have the film out and jam the funk out of the cacophony much of what is media and anti-MJ lobby generated noises about things which would be anything but just to the music he gave to the world.
And it is not the music alone, for here we see magic being created before our very eyes. Even the bunch of kids sitting next to me, who looked like they got free passes for it from overeating at a Pizza place or something did shut their obnoxious second-hand ramblings and look with rapture at some of these moments.
I had all kinds of apprehensions. Ever since the King passed away, there have been tons of videos, documentaries, articles about the man, the tragedy, the controversies etc. But few have really done any kind of justice. Then the whole hype around this film and the 2-week thing made me think this is another money spinning ploy and anything but good cinema. Then I had never heard of Kenny Ortega and the mere mention of High School Musical furthered the frown I was beginning to have.
But Ortega let the man create his own world on the stage and around. This was MJ all the way, from the way he stands beneath all them arclights, the way he stops in middle of a song and you think he will snap and all he says is “this is why we rehearse/I will feel the cue when it comes”, and smiles and starts all over again with amplified energy and reworked spirits.
I find it funny to say, having seen his videos (mini films) through the decades and following his entire body of work and being a self-confessed member of the Jacko Hood that I had not quite seen the man and his approach to what he does so closely. Here we see him up and close as he shines on the stage, recreates each and every song that has probably already been written in the alleys of music and pop history with gold, rehearses with musicians and dancers and technicians, motivates them(well, freaks them out at times too!), pushes them to ‘shine on/this is your moment to shine’, works up a lifetime of unforeseen talent and gives it all it takes to perfect each move, each note and makes every moment magical, in the kind of magic that one would associate with his name.
In fact the film is all the more important a document in his repertoire because one always associates the finished products, his iconic films with him. And no doubt all the films are historic and a fan’s crying delight, but this film presents Michael in a one-man-army do, he directs and inspires and affects each and every aspect of the grand show that was never to be. Whereas in the mini-films, we saw a different Michael, one who was directed by the greats(Scorsese, Landis, Fincher etc.), and one who always put a perfect show and never missed a beat.
I had also expected this film would capture him erring, but that would be something demanding to expect from Michael. The man exudes so much grace, his errors come out shining like innocent flaws in the natural scheme of things. So you might not get your Last Waltz or No Direction Home here, in terms of realism, but you sure get the best or one of the best shows on earth, a visual spectacle, a marriage of light and sound and a testament of the living miracle that Michael was. It is pretty clear that this film is out there to entertain, and that it does, with all its pride and glory.
There are no tears shed, there is no hinting at R.I.P. messages, no tragic outtakes, all it does is freeze at a beautiful frame of Michael with the words Love lives forever. Enough said. And do stay for the credits to end.
Another aspect that makes the film special is the whole MJ connection with the (I hate to say it so I will jumble it up) Highschoolmusicalhannahmontana generation. You see a devoted group of the best backup singers, musicians and dancers(includes aerialists and pole dance specialists, who demand respect when they perform and you enter a trance when they do) in the world, you see the struggle they go through to share the stage with the King of Pop, and you see their moment of glory as they shine on. The one sequence with the two guitarists, the one with the female singers(I just can’t stop loving you, Man in the Mirror etc) are all the more special because of this beautiful connection.
I also loved the way the film candidly captures Michael going that extra bit against his will just because he can’t help getting carried away by all that happens beneath those heady lights. “I should not get carried away, I need to save my voice, you can’t let me go on/I shouldn’t be singing out, I am trying to warm up my voice to this moment, why are you doing this to me?”, he gushes after a highly emotional and heartfelt extension of The way you make me feel.
And then there are the gifts of technology- a reworked Thriller(not something I would approve of but its still good), a Bogart-Hayworth-Big Sleep-Gilda-In a lonely place version of Smooth Criminal(supercool, something that You rock my world should have been), a reworked Earth Song(pretty cool), a newer They don’t care about us(with 11 dancers multiplying into hundreds as the song easily blends into the HIStory title track), inspired versions of Black or White and Beat It with all the heavy guitaring in the world you ever wanted, brilliantly reworked Jackson 5 retro(I’ll be there/Love you save), a memorable Human Nature(some newbiees might giggle at the unpredictable dimensions it takes but its just them), a nicely timed and executed Billie Jean with all its blue hues and slo-mo grooves in place, a Man in the Mirror in all the respect and space it deserves, and more.
Some people say Jackson would have never wanted us to see this film, and that is disloyal on part of his fans to see and support it, but I feel, after seeing the film, that it is an important document and needs to be enjoyed and danced and sung along with through generations to come, for all the love we have had for the man, and for all the many reasons that such a performer and entertainer might never come again.
This might be a star grown paler, but this is a man and a performer of elegance, grace and a confidence that only comes through ages of self-discovery and the proverbial ups and downs that a quintessential illustrious life like this brings. At times, this burden strips him of the simple human responses, like the joy of a conversation or the ease of explaining a viewpoint in simple words, but that’s Jackson and his characteristic mystery.
Sorry Jacko, but this is a way too cool you to skip.
And as we shall soon hear, more MJ records are gonna go off the shelf.
“Let the lights go out as it burns…”
Tags: Concert film, Documentary, Kenny Ortega, Michael jackson, MJ, Music documentary, O2, This is it
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Why would have Jacko not wanted his fans to see the film?
Splendid review. I was having second thoughts on watching this…you made it easier. Though not a big fan of him, but his videos have mesmerized me since I was 10. May be one last ode to the greatest entertainers of all time is not a bad idea at all!
thanks. you will love it rest assured.
Well I’ll certainly watch this and leave aside the debate as MJ for me will always remain an icon who heralded a lot many things.The way he revolutionised the music,dance and fashion scene even in India in the 80’s is unbelieavable.If MJ was alive this film wouldnt have been made because the series of concerts ( This Is It ) would have taken place.MJ- you rock, as always!!!
I find it funny when people still talk about the stuck record of controversies where this man is concerned. I mean come on get real!
Tushy, you made it happen for me man…I was in two minds, whether to watch this movie away from the MAMI stuff, and you have just very simply helped me make my mind…this is very fine writing, about a phenomenon who made our life enjoyable during those bygone years, the way I would always remember him!
Thanks as always. :-)
Its nice getting back to writing a review after a long time, and with MJ it was special.
I absolutely loved this film as well. For once we could see to a large extent the real MJ. Most of the times in front of the media and masses he has behaved in ways that are considered to be bordering on insanity. And the endless controversies, that have earned him the epithet of WHACKO JACKO. But here you see his human side, here is a person who is probably one of the greatest artist the world has ever produced. The way he performs on stage, singing and dancing at the same time, that too tirelessly for hours, not missing a single step, nor going offkey on a single note. His command over his craft is phenomenal. And he is quite humble as Tushar pointed out, at most he reacts saying ‘This is why we have rehearsals, god bless you, i love you’. Not throwing any tantrums or acting all high handed and crazy just because he is a big celebrity. And the best part is the way he inspires the scores of other people involved with him be it the background dancers, the musicians, the backup singers and the entire cast and crew. Its no surprise that he has inspired entire generations of fans.
I feel really sad that the concert did not happen. After watching the movie, I could only wonder what an amazing spectacle it would have been. And not only that, if would have been a fitting finale for MJ himself (who was actually 50 yrs old) to redeem himself and bow out gloriously all guns blazing…
Thanks Nitin for sharing your views.
Wow- this review has moved me to tears once again after MJ’s passing. You’ve spelt out everything that was on my mind that made me decide not to watch it- but you have quelled my fears with your reassurance. I did think the movie would be one final attempt to make money from the phenomenal star and I’m glad to hear that it has been made with honesty. Thanks for sharing the experience before the movie left the theatres. I may have kicked myself later- I will surely watch this movie asap.
Thanks Jyoti, glad to have you drop by. It is nice to see people are supporting this film and sharing common views largely, and the film is being appreciated for all it is. Go ahead and recommend it to the world. Thanks again. Waiting to hear your views when you see it.