Michael Jackson's This Is It

On a very rainy Veterans' Day afternoon, I viewed a matinee showing of Michael Jackson's This Is It.

I recall being aware of the Jackson 5 and liking some of their songs; I also remember stand-out songs from Michael's early solo career. Yet, not until I witnessed him dancing did Michael Jackson hold my attention. The ways he could move on a stage, in place or across it--I was entranced.

The same holds true for this movie: I enjoyed the music; I loved the dancing...Michael's and his back-up dancers. Okay, the back-up dancers were young, beautifully bodied, and certainly talented--eye candy extraordinaire. And Michael seemed fragile--noticeably thin and shoulders slightly stooped--but, oh, when he moved, the magic moved in him. It was amazing to watch how a 50-year-old Michael could still steer all eyes to him. For the last two numbers included in the movie, Michael performed on stage alone. Whenever a camera angle cut to his back-up dancers as they watched him from the pit in front of the stage, enraptured adulation shone on their faces. I wasn't the only one mesmerized.