This Is It

When the movie review for "This Is It," the documentary about Michael Jackson's preparation for his final tour, was released on Slate.com, I expected the normal hate-mongering or thumb-biting blabbery of film critics. The article, http://www.slate.com/id/2233842/, written by Dana Stevens truly surprised me. The article (apparently like the movie) is earnest and heart-felt and a joy to read. It's truly a tribute to an entertainer who lived a life more difficult than any of us can imagine.

I realize that few public figures (including the President of the U.S.) have been as polarizing as Michael Jackson. Admittedly, I'm an MJ fan. I've always been a fan. However, that doesn't preclude me from realizing the real possibility of truth in the terrible allegations against him. However, as I stated above, I can't imagine the difficulties this tortured soul endured despite all his financial success and celebrity. Michael Jackson produced musical brilliance, and for that I appreciate him. I do not purport to have known him personally, so I make no opinions on his personal affairs. He will have to answer for his transgressions if they are indeed true.

What I'm interested in, is how this movie turned out. When I first heard the movie was being released, I jumped to the same conclusion as everyone else: They're jumping on the money train so they can ride it one last time. Apparently, the author of the article felt the same way. However, the article paints a different picture of a masterpiece that pays homage to the show that Michael Jackson The Entertainer so dilligently prepared but will never get the chance to perform.

I don't expect everyone to rush to the theater to pay their respects to Michael Jackson, and I'm not tryin to change anyone's mind about him. However, I'm relieved that the director of "This Is It" has a soul and apparently is willing to use it. I just know that Michael Jackson put on a hell of a show, and when he died, the world lost that. This movie keeps at least of piece of that brilliance alive. What else was lost is up for interpretation.