This Is It

I came out of the theater dancing. I came out wanting to celebrate life. I came out inspired. And it's only been four months.
Directed by Kenny Ortega, 'This Is It' takes an unabashed look at the last few months of Michael Jackson's turbulent life. Thankfully for us, and Michael, those last moments were spent doing what he loved to do. Entertain. The sets are vast, the creativity of his team unbridled, the magic of the man still sizzling on stage. Ortega takes us on a journey showcasing not only MJ's passion for his craft, but also his vision of what was to be his final 'curtain call'. What emerges is a man not willing to settle for the ordinary, to compromise on the mediocre. You see Michael quietly take command of this gigantic ship with an authority and calm that would put the best MBAs to shame. He is an uncompromising task-master. Asking softly for reruns 'one more time'.
Even as his perfectionist self demands the best from those around him, he is quick to remind them of why they do what they do. 'All for the love - l-o-v-e. God bless you all.' His sharp cool mind keeps tabs on everything happening around him, even as he loses himself to his art.
I often found myself wanting to reach the person behind the glasses. To understand the driver behind his life, the demons and pain he would undoubtedly carry around. And yet i couldnt hold on to that thought for more than a few moments. For the truth is Michael was real only when he was on stage. And never has that come across more clearly than it did with 'This Is It'. He comes alive in a way few people do. At 50, he seems just begining to take off. With a voice as moving as it was 30 years ago(watch him croon to 'Human Nature'), a verve that runs through his body when he dances, he simply awes the people around him, no strangers to performers themselves. An undeniable presence, that believes with every breath he takes that this is what he was meant to do. And what he was doing was important. Because he was doing it for us. Nobody else. The fans. He would not compromise. He would not be lenient, even with himself and his failing health. For that one last spectacular show. To 'show us a time we had not seen before'.
An inspiration. A man as men were meant to be. Alive.