“This Is It”

I am a fan of movies, music, concerts, and… Michael Jackson.

So I, without hesitation whatsoever, headed for SM City Davao as early as 10:30 AM yesterday for the first screening of the concert film “This Is It”.

I was a little bit too early though as the first showing was slated for 12:30 PM.

I was lucky to be in the midst of fans during that screening. When Kenny Ortega made this film, he knew he had to make this resemble a concert, which he did not fail to do so. While some of the people in the theater chose not to cause a ruckus, the clear die-hard fans chose not to give a damn. And “not giving a damn” in my city is usually hard to come by. Every time a good song was about to be played or a routine was perfectly done, they would either give a wild applause or cheer so loudly. They can even be caught clapping to the beat of the songs every so often, which would eventually just die down because no one would clap with them. And as true-blue fans, they chose to sit on the orchestra section of the theater. I should’ve just chose to sit on that section when my instincts told me to. The people in the balcony section are such snobs. And a little uncouth too.

As for the film, it was various rehearsal performances shot from March to June of this year, wonderfully meshed together to create what could’ve been his “final curtain call” on London’s O2 Arena. But not only was a full song sequence of his hits showcased to the audience, but raw moments of the man: a hands-on perfectionist, passionate, creative but kind, gentle, playful and only had nothing but words of direction and encouragement to everyone involved in this production.

One of the scenes in Michael Jackson's "This Is It"

Make no mistake though. Before entering the theater, you might think the man no longer had control over his voice and might dance a little bit sickly too. Well, you thought wrong. Michael Jackson may look a tad thin and frail but he definitely didn’t lose that powerful voice and those moves we have grown to love. It’s really unbelievable that a few weeks after those routines that he actually died and never got to perform them for the fans ever again.

Michael Jackson performing a Jackson 5 number

The film is not meant to be poignant. Rather, you will leave the theater thinking this film production was more of a testament to the man and to his memory than anything else. However, one, most especially the fans, could not help but be teary-eyed when, while seeing him enthusiastically performing a number, remembering that he had been gone too soon.

Quoting from a fellow Davaoena fan’s Facebook status update:

First in line today at SM with my MJ shirt. Opening scene, crowd cheers, my heart breaks. For a fanatic, 112 mins. wasn’t enough. Documentary does not dwell on death. Behind the scenes performance, voice, music, beautiful. You know his steps by heart. Stage effects, supreme. But you keep missing him more. If he we’re alive, this film won’t see theaters. For a childhood fan like me, it’s a very, very painful closure.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who wants to find out what could’ve been to Michael Jackson’s shows, “This Is It”, you’ve got to see it.

Tags: kenny ortega, london, michael jackson, O2 arena, sm city davao, this is it

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.