This is It

Over the weekend, I watched MJ's 'This is It', from my niece Perri's recent DVD collection of MJ materials. It's fascinating to see another generation of MJ fans among the young kids. This goes to show the timeless magic of MJ. 'This is It' was truly amazing and spectacular! I mean I watched it 2x and re-watced some of the song sequences. If MJ have lived, his 50 sold-out shows in London would've been an incredible comeback. In the rehearsals, I can't help but admire MJ's work ethic and passion as if he's got a lot to prove, but more as if he was ready to put out a last show for his fans as the last curtain call of his career. I believe he would've accomplished all that he wanted and even more.

What amazed me the most was MJ's brilliance as a musical genuis and a musical artist. You can sense that he feels the music deeply in his soul. He had said before that when he is on stage, he doesn't think, he feels. At one point, he said to his music director, I need to feel that note because it's not working right now. The music director appeared a little annoyed and agitated. Mj could sense that so he said, 'Let's work on it, and it's all for love.' It made me think how professional, clear and understanding MJ was. I mean he could fired the guy if he wanted to, but MJ respected the creative process and wanted his work to reflect the best. That to me was very humble and enlightening.

Some of the music sequence I really liked were Thriller, where the old video shots were re-done and new lines were added in the Vincent Price 'creepy' poetry section. The percussion was heavier and louder which made the tune more funky. On stage during rehearsal, MJ emerged from a huge black spider before breaking into the famous Thriller dance routine. His black bomber jacket and loafers (his dancing shoes) were really simple, but fashionable at the same time. I thought it was really good so I watched that part 3x! And, the opening sequence to the Smooth Criminal video was also re-shot incorporating Rita Hayworth's "Put the Blame on Mame' performance from the old Hollywood classic 'Gilda.' The shots were not fired from MJ's gun, but from Humphrey Bogart, creating a marquee sign titled 'Smooth Criminal' and MJ appear center stage, and a gave a cue to start the dance. It was really spectacular.

For a 50-year old man, MJ could move and dance just like his 20-something year old dancers, with buff bodies and gymnastic moves, MJ could still hold the spotlight with just a snap of his finger or the sway of his hips.....and the moonwalk! There really is only one Michael Jackson.

Another special feature in the DVD were bits of interview clips with MJ's entourage his music director, concert director, manager, dancers, etc... sharing their accounts of the last days and memories working with MJ. It was so bittersweet. I really cried. I was particularly touched by how much I was able to really feel and see MJ as a human being versus the image of MJ as the King Of Pop, though he truly was a star! His real personality tended to contradict the world's persona of him. MJ was simply humble, innocent (not naive), loving, kind and talented. All of those qualities came through in 'This is It'. It finally really sunk in that MJ is gone now. Like my niece Perri, I really value and treasure my MJ collection, and consider it priceless as his music and legacy will always live on.