‘This Is It' more than movie

There were critics of the Michael Jackson memorial who beat up on fans with the words "news flash - Michael Jackson is still dead."

They should see "This Is It." Maybe this will help explain what all the fuss was about.

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" was created from footage shot in advance of his planned London concerts with the assumption they might be a nice background documentary. It was to be the comeback show to restore his musical reputation. Instead, with his death in June, days before the first concert, "This Is It" became a poignant, emotional and unusually instructive insight into The Man in the Mirror.

"This Is It" reminds us of the extraordinary personal discipline he brought to his work and the demands he placed on every aspect of his productions to push the envelope, to do what had never been done before.

"This Is It" portrays a leader in his field, someone who relished going back where he belonged, and the thrill that endeavor brought to an international cast longing to work with him.

"This Is It," reveals a side to Michael that led a veteran musician to share the King of Pop was not only a perfectionist and a genius, he was a good guy. A humble man. Someone who tried to help every performer shine, have his or her day in the sun.

"This Is It" is like seeing Michael Jackson for the very first time. The updated 3-D version of "Thriller" is fantastic.

I noticed things while watching the movie in a local theater. An older white couple perhaps as old as Michael's parents, young Hispanic families, teens and pre-teens coming in groups and middle-aged black guys like me sitting down for what we knew would be a sad ending.

Kids weren't running around. Annoying cell phones were turned off. Look around and our wiggling chairs said we were all moving to the music. I make this demographic point because Michael Jackson's reach was universal and extended over the decades.

A real cross-section of humanity found that they loved him, and missed him, perhaps more than they thought. Close comparisons might have been Elvis Presley, whom he respected, or slain Beatle John Lennon.

Sitting in the theater, I couldn't help but remember that, like Elvis, Michael has his faults and lack of judgment that may have contributed to his untimely death. The curse of superstardom kept "yes men" around, blocking him from those who loved him and wanted to get him off of drugs, get him some sleep, get him to eat more than a canary.

The molestation allegations were never proved, but he put himself up for ridicule and blackmail, or  worse. He went too far to retain his sense of childhood.

I've had more than a little discomfort over the years in his skin color change and obvious plastic surgeries. He was a perfectly good-looking young man in his teens and 20s. I never understood that odd war within himself.

Had the London concerts taken place, it was hoped the past would be washed away and his performance stature would pick up where he left off in the 1980s. He was heard to say he wanted to perform now so his children could see in person what others had before they were born.

His messages in "This Is It," understandable at any age, are to love the art of music, to love the ones working with you, to love your family, to love your fans and to love the planet. His new environmental song is haunting and inspiring even if you don't believe in global warming, and I don't.

I found myself in another level of loss that this man would never visit theatrical schools taking questions from students. This film is a clinic on putting together a world-class event that's techno savvy yet never losing the human touch. He could have elaborated on his old-school love for Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly all of whose styles he borrowed much from.
I know there are those who say Michael Jackson was just another entertainer. If that's all he was, then the Gettysburg Address was just another speech. The Eiffel Tower is just another building. The Grand Canyon is just a crack in the ground.

I will stand with Motown creator Barry Gordy who said at Michael Jackson's funeral that he was the greatest entertainer who ever lived. The King is dead. Long live the King.

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Mike Shelton is a Yuma resident and guest columnist for the Yuma Sun. E-mail him at mikshelt@msn.com