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"This is it!" in Review

In the end, Michael got what he wanted--to be loved. At last night's showing of "This is it!" in San Marcos, Michael's impact on fan's old and young was obvious.

While walking to Theater 6, a young woman wore a Michael Jackson T-shirt, sparkling fedora, and requisite white glove. She was too young to remember Michael's first walk on the moon; yet, she paid homage in a most earnest way.

"This is it!" opened with teary-eyed dancers talking about what it meant for them to work with Michael. These much-younger entertainers idolized him after having grown up watching his bedazzling music videos.

When Michael appeared on the screen, the audience exploded in applause, and continued to clap as "The greatest entertainer of all time" broke into "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin.'" I realized I wasn't just watching a movie, but experiencing a cultural phenomenon.

But by the time Michael got around to singing "Human Nature," something was amiss. His movements were jerky and erratic; and, he donned a strange glittering blazer with pointed shoulder pads. What was he thinking?

Throughout the rest of the movie, I often wondered what happened to the beautiful brown-faced boy we remember from the early 80s. Kenny Ortega bent over backwards to kiss his ass, as Michael appeared ready to launch a major hissy fit at any second.

The audience tittered after Michael criticized the sound system, and followed it up by saying "with love, with love, with love." They giggled uncomfortably as Michael rode around the auditorium in a cherry picker.

His gold lame trousers and sparkling hat were a bit frightening; and, the red lipstick simply didn't work on a smooth criminal. When Michael got on the floor to kick his feet, I could only hope a younger counterpart would be there to help him get up. In essence, the magic was gone.

But love, at least for the bedazzled musicians and dancers, was blind. Upon finishing "Billie Jean," they applauded Michael and gave him a standing ovation.

Then the flick ended, and Michael's final release,"This is it!" boomed throughout the room. The movie audience stood and clapped as well. The old gray horse may not have been what he used to be; but, unlike life, one thing is certain: Michael Jackson will be sorely missed.

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In the end, Michael got what he wanted--to be loved. At last night's showing of "This is it!" in San Marcos, Michael's impact on fan's old and young was obvious.

While walking to Theater 6, a young woman wore a Michael Jackson T-shirt, sparkling fedora, and requisite white glove. She was too young to remember Michael's first walk on the moon; yet, she paid homage in a most earnest way.

"This is it!" opened with teary-eyed dancers talking about what it meant for them to work with Michael. These much-younger entertainers idolized him after having grown up watching his bedazzling music videos.

When Michael appeared on the screen, the audience exploded in applause, and continued to clap as "The greatest entertainer of all time" broke into "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin.'" I realized I wasn't just watching a movie, but experiencing a cultural phenomenon.

But by the time Michael got around to singing "Human Nature," something was amiss. His movements were jerky and erratic; and, he donned a strange glittering blazer with pointed shoulder pads. What was he thinking?

Throughout the rest of the movie, I often wondered what happened to the beautiful brown-faced boy we remember from the early 80s. Kenny Ortega bent over backwards to kiss his ass, as Michael appeared ready to launch a major hissy fit at any second.

The audience tittered after Michael criticized the sound system, and followed it up by saying "with love, with love, with love." They giggled uncomfortably as Michael rode around the auditorium in a cherry picker.

His gold lame trousers and sparkling hat were a bit frightening; and, the red lipstick simply didn't work on a smooth criminal. When Michael got on the floor to kick his feet, I could only hope a younger counterpart would be there to help him get up. In essence, the magic was gone.

But love, at least for the bedazzled musicians and dancers, was blind. Upon finishing "Billie Jean," they applauded Michael and gave him a standing ovation.

Then the flick ended, and Michael's final release,"This is it!" boomed throughout the room. The movie audience stood and clapped as well. The old gray horse may not have been what he used to be; but, unlike life, one thing is certain: Michael Jackson will be sorely missed.

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