At last night's VMAs, the trailer for the "This is It" concert documentary closed a show that was warmly dedicated to Michael. There couldn't have been a better ending, because that 2-minute trailer was cold, hard evidence of Michael's dominance of popular music. Even at the age of 50, he appeared as agile and clean in his movements as ever. Had he lived, Michael would have put on the best stage show ever, with special 3D videos, elaborate sets, and the exceptional dance routines of songs like "Smooth Criminal".
For a man who, through the eyes of the media, didn't appear to have a coherent bone is his body, Michael was surprisingly alert and focused. In the trailer, besides his performance, you can see how he takes control of his own output. He's basically directing the show himself, with a little help from past choreographer Kenny Ortega.
The most promising aspect of the trailer and the movie is the promised personal element. The movie claims that it is a Michael we've never seen before. Actually, that's not true. Michael in the trailer is seen smiling and laughing, which we've seen on more than one occasion. It's just that we've never really paid attention. We all were so caught up in Michael Jackson's oddities that we never truly regarded him, like Madonna put so eloquently last night, as a human being, capable of laughter and happiness.
That is what this movie is about, more so than the concert that never was. "This Is It" is a reminder of two facts. Fact one: Michael Jackson was, and always will be, the King of Pop. Fact two: Michael Jackson was a human being. Both facts seem to have been lost in the last few years leading up to and in the aftermath of his death. However, I have a good feeling that this movie will set those two facts in the stones of the pop canon.
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