Michael Jackson's This Is It (Ashlyn)

I have to say, I was a little worried that, with all my love for Michael (we're on a first name basis, of course), I would be entirely let down by this film. Some of you know that I had a ticket to his sold-out show in London; I was pretty close to heartbroken when news of his death got out. However, I was very much impressed with the film as a whole.

This Is It opens with various people from all over the world talking about auditioning for a role as a principal dancer in the show. Some of these people are dedicated to Michael Jackson specifically- they'd do just about anything for this job, because they get to be on stage with him. Some of them are getting emotional, probably from a mixture of sleep deprivation and nervous energy. Some are dancers, who recognize that no one has ever danced like this man, and no one ever will again. And then, there's the last potential principal dancer. He does not exclaim his love for anyone, or talk about how hard it was to get to the building. He is already crying before the clip begins, and he is searching for a reason for being on this planet. So simply, he says he's been looking for, "kind of a meaning...and this is it." 

The film is full of high energy moments where the dancing will awe and inspire you, and I would say 75% of the whole reel requires at least some steady toe-tapping, if not a full on rock out session. There is also beautiful down time, where it's just you and the man- the legend- singing on stage, half-lit and a cappella. Those clips will slow down time wherever you are viewing, and your eyes will not be able to leave the screen. If you have any soul at all, you will literally get goosebumps.

In the end, this is absolutely different from what probably would've been one of the greatest concert experiences of all time. This isn't even the definitive compilation of behind-the-scenes concert footage, although you get to see some pretty frakking cool technical stuff, funny moments between the crew heads and Mr Jackson, and tons of stuff I would punch out my own sister to have seen live. But, it's gorgeously shot, the music is obviously amazing, and we get to see the sheer amount of creativity and LOVE that went into this project. This guy was planning out some epic stuff! And everyone- really, every single person- is in love with the work they were doing, in love with the show they were making, and in love with every other living being that would've been in that stadium when the lights went up. No matter the tragedy that ended it all- in this time capsule, there is only hope and love. I think This Is It would've made Michael Jackson proud.

Maybe, it's making him proud right now.