The Circle

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Media Credit: Igor Moretto/ Flickr.com Michael Jackson's "This Is It" provides viewers with a glimpse of the preparation behind the London shows that could have been. The film accounted for a total of 61% of all online ticket sales last week, and topped the box office this past weekend, and grossing $101 million worldwide in five days of release.

Death is a hard subject to deal with, but instead of mourning a person's passing it's better to celebrate his or her life. "This Is It" provides a 112 minute magical tribute to Michael Jackson's art. It's not about the argument over his estate, drugs, child molestation, his pet chimpanzee named Bubbles, his bizarre marriage to Lisa Marie Presley or his personal life that has provided countless entries of tabloid fodder over the years. The film is about what brought him into our consciousness in the first place and catapulted him into super star status.

The film helps us remember and celebrate him for his talented gift that he bestowed upon our time through his earth shattering music and jaw-dropping dance moves. Say what you will about Michael Jackson's personal life, but most people can agree that his music and craft as an artist changed the face of entertainment and redefined the genre of pop. Even in his frail state in the last weeks of his life, Michael could still glide across the stage and set the pace for his significantly younger backup dancers to try to match.

Instead of evoking tears the director, Kenny Ortega, presents us with the last performance from the King of Pop in a way that makes us forget for a moment that he is no longer around to keep blessing this world with his talented gifts. The film shows the fragile side of MJ through songs like "Human Nature," "Man in the Mirror" and the haunting "I'll Be There," but also shows his pumped up energy and stage presence in vamped up performances of "Smooth Criminal" and "Wanna Be Starting Something."

It was the world's last chance to experience the pop star's musical genius, while not viewing him as a machine, but as a loving person who had a god-given talent and immense love in his soul for the every element that went into the performance.

The greatest moment in the film comes when Michael flashea a tender smile at the end of a full rehearsal to show his crew that he is finally satisfied and content with the caliber of the show. He seems genuinely happy. He died a few weeks later. The film was a great way to pay respect and celebrate Michael Jackson as an artist and thank him for sharing his talents with the world since he was a small boy in the Jackson 5. Instead of being sad about his death, take some time out of your busy schedules and go watch "This Is It" to commemorate the greatest show the world will never get to see, except for a limited time on the big screen.

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