If ever there was a chance to see the makings of a spectacular concert, this was it. Michael Jackson’s “This is It” officially debuts on Wednesday, but many local theaters offered it at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Depending on your opinion of Jackson, the movie was entertaining, amusing, or unusual. No doubt, for many, it was sad.

A star-studded premier of “This is It” was also held in Los Angeles.

A vibrant Michael Jackson is seen rehearsing for his tour. Some of the more memorable moments include Jackson seeming to plan parts of the show himself; inventing “This is It” during practice sessions. At times Jackson struggles with technical equipment. At times Jackson is a diva. Most of the time he’s seen as a confident perfectionist. Jackson appears fully in control of the show, the crew, and most importantly, the creative experience that was to be his final concerts.

None of the video sequences are dated, so it’s impossible to tell how close Jackson was to his final days. Regardless, in every scene that was used, Jackson appears vibrant, full of energy, and fully comfortable with a group of musical performers easily half his age.

If you’re a Michael Jackson fan, you’ll love the movie. (And be sure to stay after the closing credits for a brief finale.) If you’re a casual listener of his music, perhaps the movie will be nothing more than amusing. It will have wide appeal for numerous reasons.

“This is It” plays like a documentary. There’s no narration and no host. It’s a look at what was supposed to be “it,” in London, until that terrible day on June 25, 2009.

Filed under Entertainment

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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