THIS IS IT - a poignant tribute

In the immediate aftermath of Michael Jackson's sudden death, what I was most struck by - thanks to the endless and ubiquitous loop of his music videos and performance clips - was just how singularly talented the King of Pop was. I found myself marvelling that someone, anyone, could do what he could do - that look, that singing, and most especially that dancing. It made me, a non-fan, inexplicably happy to see someone so masterfully at the top of his game. Unfortunately, I never appreciated him in life as much as I did in death.

And now comes this movie, THIS IS IT. Afraid that it might be little more than a blatant attempt to quickly cash in on Jackson's higher-than-Everest profile right now, I went into the screening with some trepidation. But I'm happy to report it's a fitting tribute to the man. It may not reach the emotional highs of a great concert movie but considering what director Kenny Ortega had to work with - strictly rehearsal footage that was never expected to see the light of day - the film is surprisingly successful at depicting what might have been.

But perhaps most impressive is how effectively the film dispels rumors about Jackson's frailty. Many claimed he was in no condition to undertake that string of concerts he'd scheduled in London this summer. But there he is, in number after number, actively engaged in the creative process. He's grilling his musical director on tempo and cues, instructing his dancers on the many complex and elaborate steps he's choreographed, and advising his artistic director on the many filmed sequences that introduce the songs. And he performs, albeit in rehearsal mode, with the vibrancy you'd expect from a Michael Jackson in his prime. It's hard to imagine he's actually fifty years old, so fluid are his moves. The entire movie is a rousing rejoinder to all his skeptics.

Being the perfectionist that he was, I'm sure Jackson would have been mortified to know his REHEARSAL footage would be on display for all the world to see. But his star power shines through, regardless. And it at least gives us a glimpse of how good the show could have been. It was to have started out with a razzle-dazzle pyrotechnic opening and the appearance of an enormous "global video man." Out of this giant man emerges a resplendent Michael Jackson snapping his fingers and launching into "Wanna Be Starting Something." Next up is a sharply staged militaristic-looking dance routine for "They Don't Care About Us," followed by a plaintive "Human Nature" and then an elaborate and slickly produced "Smooth Criminal," complete with black and white video placing Jackson in the midst of a Humphrey Bogart shoot-out. And the hits just keep on coming - "The Way You Make Me Feel." the Jackson Five's "Shake Your Body," and an "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" duet. There's a new video - in 3-D this time - that introduces '"Thriller," a number that ends with a full-size bulldozer on stage about to swallow Jackson whole. Then comes the irrepressible "Beat It," "Black or White, "Earth Song," "Billie Jean," and finally, and appropriately "Man in the Mirror." And through them all, Jackson looks completely at ease. Whether he's riding high above everyone in a cherry picker, or climbing out of a giant spider-mobile, or singing and dancing solo on the stage, he's a performer in his element. And he knows it.

Michael Jackson may indeed be dead, but he's never seemed more alive than he does in this movie. And that's the overriding sense one has after the film. What a shame. What a loss. And what a show it would have been.