I was a big Michael Jackson fan growing up, I mean who wasn't, right?

So of course I went to see the documentary/rehearsal/performance film "This Is It" playing in theaters for a limited 2 week run beginning Oct. 27.

Update: It has just been announced that "This is It" has been extended through Thanksgiving

It would have been one heck of a show let me tell ya. And of course it never happened; unfortunately we all know how "This Is It" ends.
Quickly hodge- podged together after Michael Jackson's death on June 25, the film pieces together rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage as Michael and the gang prepared to ship out to London's O2 Arena for 50 sold out shows,( think circa 1991"Madonna's Truth or Dare.") It's not quite a concert film, and it's not quite a documentary. It's a rehearsal film.

SideNote: It was most likely gonna be used down the line as DVD extras and whatnot. Sony paid $60 million for the footage!
Granted, "This Is It' was never technically advertised as anything more than that. But given all the hype given to the movie, and the fact that it was billed as "The Event of a Lifetime," it's still a huge letdown to discover that "This Is It" really isn't anymore than Michael Jackson, a few musicians, a lot of dancers, and a series of technicians preparing for a show, that would never take place, in front of a crowd of no one.

Unfortunately full dress rehearsals weren't due to take place until the show went overseas for final rehearsals so we the audience doesn't get to see any glitzy costumes.
I was worried about how this was going to come together to be honest. I heard the same rumors most of you did, I'm sure, that his voice wasn't there, that he was struggling and the concert was looking like an epic failure. Either those rumors were wrong or some extreme movie magic trickery was used because the man was on fire… wait, that's a poor choice of words… You know what I mean.

So for those of you who are thinking of going to see "This Is It" out of morbid fascination reasons; you'll be greatly disappointed. There's no sign of sickness here, no sense of an artist past his prime. Instead, you see a performer at his peak. Sorry.
In fact, it shows us Michael Jackson in the safest and most normal place he ever knew: On stage, in a spotlight, in front of an adoring crowd. As far as the music is concerned for the most part it's pretty off the wall!

MJ (as he's affectionately called by everyone in the film) looks as good as Michael Jackson could look, and far more peppy and energetic than you'd expect from a guy who allegedly needed strong anesthesia just to sleep. But the movie tries to do what the show would have: make you forget the tabloid Jackson. But knowing the ending, it's hard.

Jackson isn't interviewed in the film, and asides from some voice-over comments about how much he loves trees and nature, we don't get much sense of him, his personality, his worries, or even what he was hoping to accomplish with these shows.

At times "This Is It?" seems like a more appropriate title for this film.

You'll know as much about Michael Jackson when you leave the theater as you knew going in, which is that he's kind of a weird dude that can dance.

The only negative thing about the film was Jackson's long, rambling, preachy ode to the environment with his new song "Earth Song".
It included a voice over from Jackson talking about how we need to love trees and take care of the Earth. (Forget the fact that his Neverland Ranch probably cost millions every year in wasted energy.) This song brings the film to a screeching halt and reminds us that his best work was done before 1990.
 
But "This Is It" is a nicely done, loving tribute that gives Michael Jackson what he so desperately wanted - proof that he indeed was the greatest entertainer of our time.

You know, it's really sad that it took death to restore his standing as one-of-a-kind entertainer, to bring him back to life. Jackson is hot again. His old albums - now sacred collectors items, are selling better after his death than they did while he was alive.

In the end I say if you're a serious fan of Michael Jackson you'll enjoy the 2 full hours of "This Is It." If you're not, it's like watching band practice.

Rated PG