This Is It

[JasonEvans]

Has anyone seen this film yet? The reviews are very good (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/michael_jackson_this_is_it/) and it took in more than $2 million when it opened last night, which is an absurdly strong number for a mid-week October opening.

--Jason "some reviewers say you do not even need to be a Jackson fan to appreciate this doc-- which is quite something" Evans

[sue71]

I went last night (got offered tix on Monday :)). First, let me say that I haven't read any reviews. But here are my thoughts.

I had a lot of mixed emotions.

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Great- This would've been a great tour to see live. The work that everyone (dancers, singers, musicians, lighting technicians, costume designers, and more more more!) put in was incredible. Film editing. Choreography. "Fire chasers". The technology that was going into this tour was off the charts. The level of dedication from all involved was amazing. MJ definitely knew what he wanted and how to achieve it, but he was always calm and explained himself & his vision (which, yes, was sometimes half-cocked, but the result achieved was always spot-on). Kenny Ortega managed the whole thing amazingly and was able to coax (?) MJ into things that MJ wasn't always in line with, yet it always worked in the end. Other times, KO and MJ seemed to share a brain, in that they were completely 100% on the same page. MJ always wanted the audience's experience to be what they knew- he said the songs should sound like what they know and strove to have both the musicians and singers sound as much like the original recordings as possible (when appropriate- there are a few songs where MJ takes a decidedly creative turn on them). MJ also takes care of everyone (the dancers get physical therapy & extra technique classes, for example). He often tells them he loves them and speaks to them as a group as his family and constantly reminds them of that.

Sad- It was so sad to be watching it and realize MJ's no longer here and the tour will never be seen. It was sad to think of all the months of work that went into it. The hours of painstaking detail. Every last sequin. Every last note. Every last point of a finger. It's all over. I really felt bad for all involved with the tour. What a horrible way for it to end before it ever started.

Amazed- I work in the concert industry, to a degree. I have seen shows be in tech rehearsals for 3+ weeks. I've seen countless shows & tours live. But I never really thought about all the work that goes in prior to ever beginning rehearsals. The insight into those several months was unreal. All the prep work. All the video work. Multiplying 10 dancers into 100,000. Putting MJ into multiple films all for one cohesive vignette. Reworking Thriller and the accompanying video. I was blown away by all this.

All in all, I don't know if "enjoyed" is the right word, but I was bopping along in my seat to many of the songs, while being sad at others. There were times the audience laughed because MJ was funny, and times we laughed because, yes, he was being absurd. I'm glad to have had this glimpse into MJ's life, the tour, & the music.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm not an MJ fan, but reading Sue's review I almost want to go see the movie. But I'll probably wait for it to be on TV.

[weezie]

Yeah, it makes you wonder how the tour would have been covered by the media if he was still alive.

On a lighter note, I saw Stevie Wonder in Norfolk this past Sunday night and gotta say we had a blast. Watching him perform (with his daughter, isn't she lovely,) knowing he could play every instrument on stage, hearing him in still true voice, a musical treasure, Stevie is to be cherished.

[sue71]

Yeah, it makes you wonder how the tour would have been covered by the media if he was still alive.

On a lighter note, I saw Stevie Wonder in Norfolk this past Sunday night and gotta say we had a blast. Watching him perform (with his daughter, isn't she lovely,) knowing he could play every instrument on stage, hearing him in still true voice, a musical treasure, Stevie is to be cherished.

Hey Weezie, that's my old building. :) I worked there for almost 4 years.

[blazindw]

At first, I was kinda torn about seeing the documentary. I mean, I didn't think it was right that Sony had bought the rights to the film and was trying to make money off it. However, now that I know that 90% of the profits are going straight to the estate (and to Michael's children), that makes me want to see it. Not to mention that all the reviews that I've heard from my friends say that it's great.

[SlimSlowSlider]

At first, I was kinda torn about seeing the documentary. I mean, I didn't think it was right that Sony had bought the rights to the film and was trying to make money off it. However, now that I know that 90% of the profits are going straight to the estate (and to Michael's children), that makes me want to see it. Not to mention that all the reviews that I've heard from my friends say that it's great.

I don't think you need to worry about Jacko's estate. It is going to make insane money for the next several years, and will make tons of money for the rest of his kids' lives.

[blazindw]

I don't think you need to worry about Jacko's estate. It is going to make insane money for the next several years, and will make tons of money for the rest of his kids' lives.

I'm not so much worried about that...I didn't think it was right for anyone to capitalize on his death, which was Sony's original intent when they outbid everyone for the rights to the footage.