I saw this film today, with minimal expectations. I just needed some fresh air (well, not so much fresh as different from the air at my house), and impulsively decided to go to the matinee show. There were two of us in the entire theater.
I did a little bit of reading up on the movie before going, but not in-depth. I thought it was a documentary on MJ's life. It turned out to be a documentation of his final show, "This Is It," which would have been touring the world. Efforts were taken to document the making and preparation for the show - very behind the scenes.
I love behind the scenes type of footage (of people with talent, not brainless celebs), because I'm always curious to know what kind of work aesthetic these musicians have, what their approach to rehearsing is, how they interact with the other musicians or dancers. It reveals so much about a person.
I had goosebumps from the first scene, the moment the music started. Even though it was just a rehearsal, the energy was so electric and everybody was so involved with what they were doing. A choreographer in the movie said to the dancers, "The dancers are an extension of Michael." They were - it was like they were all limbs in this huge machine that was MJ.
The production itself was larger than life. Each song was a separate mini-film unto itself. It was so reflective of the consummate performer that MJ was, because he took on the persona required for each of his songs, leaving his super star identity to come only second to that. And he shifted with such ease between such different universes - the eerie grotesqueness of "Thriller" to the innocent, playfulness of "ABC, Easy as 123." As a vocalist, dancer, actor - he gave himself completely to derive the maximum emotion and effect out of each moment he was performing. He was such a master of theatrics and timing - his choice for dramatic pauses, musically and in the narrative, always added a punch that would make the audience go even more crazy. I did not realize this about him until I saw this film, and I was so touched.
He was shown as a perfectionist - demanding and relentless, without being clouded by ego. He encouraged and enjoyed the work of his fellow musicians - who were all in total awe of him.
I'm glad the film didn't go into any biographical background, because all MJ should be remembered for is his massive contribution to pop music. Unfortunately, controversy over his image and his personal life overshadowed all of his other accomplishments in the latter part of his life. It's a loss if that's all you can see in a person of such tremendous talent. This isn't it for MJ, because his legacy will continue to live forever.
2 comments:
Very nice. I like the clarity and unbiased attitude towards this review. And the fact that it was centered around MJ the musician and not MJ the whipping boy of your fine American media. I can't wait to see this being a huge fan of his music myself. Glad to see you're blogging again. :)
you know thats exactly how i felt. goosebumps right from the word go. and i loved how real and unrehearsed behind the scenes footage can be. i loved how all the little moments of the rehearsal came across. the pauses, the repetitions. the pure joy on his face when he was doing what he loved. the animated involvement. the moves - he has sheer groove in every cell in his body! the unadulterated talent. the ease with which he sang so many different songs. how he can sing and move all at once and not have his voice quiver or shake! and most of all it made me realize what a genuine performer he was. a true entertainer. a larger than life kind of icon. and it made me realize theyre right when they call him the KING of pop.
by the end i was jus so sad that i missed the chance to watch him live :(
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