Jackson Film Showcases His Meticulous Genius

CLEVELAND - Michael Jackson has long been a mindlessly gifted vocalist and a breathtakingly flawless dancer with much evidence to support those stunning gifts. What hasn't been seen is his meticulous creative process and relentless drive towards perfection.

Until now.

Jackson's new film, a hastily yet impressively crafted piece entitled, This Is It debuts in theaters today worldwide. The concert's choreographer, Kenny Ortega assembled the highly anticipated flick which I had the grand pleasure of screening last night armed with the realization that I might very well shed a tear or a few million. Thankfully, I didn't, but it was challenging not to at times.

In the film, Michael's uncompromised creativity and perfectionism are on full display. Though clearly performing at half-speed, his lilting voice often soars with an altitude similar to a hang glider over a canyon. His dancing is so intricate, precise and instinctive and at times seems to just "happen" with even the most mundane of his movements. He hits beautiful high notes, most fascinating to me is when he was rehearsing his Thriller-era hit "Human Nature" and seems to let the music flow through him, which triggers his legendary dance steps.

Michael's remarkable artistry and imagination shine through on several vignettes he had planned to show during the concerts. A particularly fascinating interlude was the short film he created to open "Smooth Criminal," a hit track from Jackson's 1987 Bad album. Footage of classic 1940's gangster films are interspersed with current footage of Michael, clad in a white fedora and suit and armed with a Tommy Gun.

Those images are reminiscent of his indelible music video of the same name.

Also very notable: a highly-stylized re-imagining of his seminal "Thriller" video with ghoulish and ominous imagery that was set to be a 3-D film to be shown during the shows. Also, a riled up run through of "Beat It" and a jaw dropping rehearsal of "Billie Jean" showcased Michael at his best. They were also great theater and seemed compelling enough to use as separate, updated music videos of those iconic Jackson classics.

It is nearly impossible to see Jackson as a frail 50-year old in the film as he's been so often depicted in the media. Indeed, the man is sharp, lucid and highly energetic. His charm is infectious and the camaraderie he had with his dancers and musicians was quite obvious. His attention to detail is astonishing and his leadership is astounding. He's politely demanding and endlessly creative. Given the epic stature of his life's work, it is easy to see how this creative process of his was necessary as well as constant.

Watching Michael in his element, completely unguarded and highly focused on perfecting his craft was a delicious treat for me as I'm sure it is for all of his fans. His pure genius, which shines through loud and clear in this film is absolutely humbling and inspiring and should serve as a reminder to the world just how much of a major force Jackson truly was. His collaborators on this massive project were all too thrilled and giddy at the chance to work with MJ, and had clearly established a strong connection with the international icon.

Of course, the footage in this film came from Michael's plan for a huge series of concerts in London this summer that would serve as his "comeback" after a 12-year hiatus from performing live. He rehearsed from April to June, with much of the footage being filmed in HD with high quality audio. Tragically and stunningly, he died on June 25 which was less than three weeks before he was to begin his concerts. That fact, along with the knowledge that we have of these awesome stage shows never coming to fruition is so frustrating. As wonderful as Michael is in the movie, we have to accept that his genius is no longer here which for me, is close to impossible.

Thankfully, the film avoids references to his death as well as the salacious and sordid details of his often controversial personal life. The man was a true great, and his historic career will forever be an indelible memory in our minds, especially because of this respectful and riveting documentation of the final weeks of the greatest entertainer in history.

I love him even more than ever now.