When Michael Jackson died and I heard that they were planning on making a movie with all of his final rehearsal footage, I really was not interested. I figured it’d only be those crazy uber-MJ fans who would go. Then some time passed, Michael Jackson’s This Is It was made, and a friend who was buying some advance tickets to the show asked if I wanted to go. I said sure. I’m glad I did.

This Is It is not narrated or anything. It really is just clips from the rehearsals, from dance auditions to the final rehearsal. The movie starts out with silence and text on the screen explaining how the footage was recorded and that Michael Jackson’s estate has released it for the following movie. And then there he is. Michael Jackson performing. I felt really uncomfortable for some reason. Too soon? I was so tense and breathing so shallow. I don’t know why! It was just so intense. After about 20 minutes we got to a rehearsal of Human Nature and it was so genuine and touching, such a beautiful song, I finally found myself leaning back a relaxing.

Over the next 92 minutes it’s such a range of emotions. You know, amazement at the talent, both Michael Jackson’s and all of the other dancers and musicians. At times I found myself smiling. Michael Jackson’s singing and dancing brings me back to my childhood and seeing him perform songs from back then is just a joy. There are times that he jokes with the crew that just crack you up. Other times are very poignant. Some of the times when I was feeling so awed by the talent.. I would start to feel a little sick, because.. you know… what a waste.

It’s clear that Michael Jackson wasn’t the product of some production company. And it wasn’t just the singing and dancing. He was involved in every detail of the show. What a perfectionist. There was one clip where he was working with the musical director on a very small portion of a song. The director was playing a very simple melody on the keyboard and going back and forth with MJ on its intricacies. He must have played the melody over and over about 10 times and I could not hear anything different, but obviously Michael could.

In hindsight, in light of what’s come to be known about his death and drug use, it’s amazing to see Michael not only functioning, but performing top notch. I really cannot understand it. In my mind, Michael Jackson, with the crazy personal life, and Michael Jackson, the genius musician and performer, have almost been two different people. This confusion remains after seeing this movie.

I think if you grew up with Michael Jackson, like I did, if you’re a fan of his songs, heck, even if you just like dancing, you’ll like this movie. But don’t take my word for it. Roger Ebert reviewed This Is It last week and gave it 4 starts, the most stars he awards.

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