It would be easy to scoff at the memorial nature of This Is It, and cynically dissect the strange, mysterious, oftentimes disastrous private life of its legendary subject. But the truth of the matter is simply this: This Is It is a thundering spectacle perfectly befitting the late, great "King of Pop," an endlessly engaging experience that will likely hold rapturous fans the world over in its sparkling grasp, not unlike the iconic performer many knew simply as M.J.

The film's scrolling prologue refers to this collection of rehearsal footage as "intended for Michael Jackson's personal library." Then we see the sparkling faces and hear the genuine words of the young dancers chosen to move alongside music's most awe-inspiring toe-tapper. They are overwhelmed by their fabulous luck, as if this one job will mark the highest point of their careers. "I'm from Australia..." one young man begins, and those are the only words that escape his lips before he is overcome with tears. For him, and for his colleagues, this truly was "it" -- the moment of their lives. This becomes a fascinating subtext for the remainder of This Is It: Imagining Jackson himself privately receiving this sterling recorded praise from gushing students, one wonders if this was the only place where he could adequately come to terms with his enduring impact.

Mounted with painstaking love by longtime choreographer and Jackson's concert director/co-creator Kenny Ortega (perhaps best known for directing the High School Musical series), This Is It represents that aforementioned impact with visceral joy. The film is, in essence, a love letter from Jackson's adoring partner for what was to be a world-changing concert experience, depicting the everyday grind of perfecting each song's evolution from early discussions to final rehearsals. The film also suggests that those reports claiming Jackson was in great health at the time of his death may well be true: The man moves as well as he ever has, repeatedly leaving his giddy back-up dancers cheering offstage.

Ortega's own progression putting this feature together is noticeable on the screen; early scenes try too hard to build a story with a combination of interviews and news reports. Soon, however, the film settles into its natural rhythm. It is nearly impossible not to be captivated by Jackson's intense focus, quiet energy, and astounding dance moves. For the first time in an extended form, we are allowed to see the wheels turn in Jackson's mind and get a glimpse how the world's most popular, celebrated, and successful music performer determines how to best entertain his mass of fans. He approves every last note of every last song and is able to cut to the core to solve any possible problem. Many of his discussions center on feeling "the love...the L-O-V-E," but not once does it feel pretentious -- it just feels like Michael.

This Is It shows us not only the genial, happy collaborator version of Michael Jackson but also the restless genius who gets frustrated when no one can quite deliver at his same level. (As illustrated by the film’s many jam sessions, the reason why Jackson was always an incredible solo act may be because no one could ever keep up with him.) But even in frustration, Jackson is always a gentle, nurturing presence -- never riled, never angry. In spite of tumultuous personal strife that never failed to play out in the face of a sneering, judgmental public, pop music's "King" appears startlingly centered. He’s the glue that holds his vast concert crew together.

Through innovative new presentations of almost every popular Jackson song, from Thriller to Billie Jean to Man in the Mirror and even extending to rare rehearsal footage of classic Jackson 5 tunes like I Want You Back and I'll Be There, This Is It is hero worship of the highest order. But that is the kind of response Jackson generated, in a way unlike any artist who came since. The film is an extension of M.J.'s legacy, one more enduring reminder of the enthralling power of music's last true legend.


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