If this is really it, then let me begin by recommending you see this in Imax for the full effect. It was spring of 2009. It was to be the biggest concert in the history of the world, with fifty shows launching in London. (The British were far more forgiving of Michael’s alleged sins.) It was twelve years in the making. It was a rare glimpse into rehearsals where only a handful of the chosen few would be his backup dancers – some from as far away as Australia – each of them an extension of Jackson the man, taking on his highly exaggerated moves. We also meet the stage hands and musicians who dealt with him daily for grueling hours rehearsing the choreography of the filmmaker Kenny Ortega. God bless Ortega not only for tackling the impossible job of editing this much footage so fast, but for giving us real insight into the gentle, humble, harmless, and playful creature Michael Jackson was in his final days. The saddest part of this movie isn’t realizing we’ll never see him perform these songs again, but realizing how much he loved life and in no way anticipated his death. He was always in control in his performances. He was always in high spirits. He had everything to live for, and in this film he wanted the world to know his love of all God’s creatures, of nature, children and animals. And so the movie focuses on Michael in the present – very tastefully done – with only a quick glimpse at the Jackson Five through a sentimental “I’ll Be There.” It’s nice to hear him sing his songs again, for the last time. It’s nice to see how seriously he took his work. One extravaganza in particular, “The Way You Make Me Feel,” is performed with such precision and artistry it feels like a Broadway version of “West Side Story,” with Michael as one of the Jets. Like Elvis and Marilyn, Jackson was larger than life. Here’s hoping he’s moon walking in heaven. Four tiaras
