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Review: Jackson proves he still had 'it' in documentary

Let me preface this post, by openly admitting my love for Michael Jackson’s music. His discography takes up, at least, 50 percent of my life’s soundtrack.

I admit. I, too, was skeptical of Michael the Person amidst the child molestation charges and baby-over-balcony episode. But I never doubted Michael the Performer.

Watching him in Michael Jackson’s This Is It on Wednesday was simply magical.

The documentary gives us a glimpse of Michael’s artistic process as he rehearses in Los Angeles’ Staples Center for 50 concerts scheduled in London.

We see Michael hand pick his dancers, critique the sound engineers, and gently command his musicians to make the beat “funkier.” We see him motivate everyone around him to enjoy the ride that didn’t materialize because of his untimely death in June. He demanded perfection, as he said, “all for love. L-O-V-E.”

From the first song, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin',” to the last, “Man in the Mirror,” the theater audience was captivated by his charisma.

Michael’s voice switched from soft and somber in “Human Nature” to rough and raunchy in “Bad.” Every note dripped with emotion. Very few artists can make you feel a song like he could.

And I don’t know of another 50-year-old man who could move with such vigor. His signature spins, crotch grabs and moonwalk were still crisp. Even his backup dancers, probably all 20-somethings, watched in awe as Michael got down to “Billie Jean.” A man sitting a row ahead of me shook his head and said, "Mike, you bad."

Pyrotechnics, 3-D videos and elaborate stage sets completed the spectacle. The concert had all of the elements to place Michael back onto his pop music throne.

I am so sad that he physically cannot share his talent with the world. But concert and film director Kenny Ortega and his crew have given us a piece of Michael on film.

If you want an opportunity to see the King of Pop in all his glory, this movie is ’it.’

By Dioni L. Wise, Staff Writer

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: On March 5, Michael Jackson announced that he planned to perform live concerts at the London O2 Arena in July.