It was not meant to be this way. About ten days before he was to perform the This Is It concert for a global television audience and a live audience in London for ostensibly his last tour, Michael Jackson, arguably the greatest pop music artist ever, left this world, but not into oblivion.

His untimely death due to a drug overdose pitchforked him to the headlines of newspapers and television channels worldwide. Suddenly a generation of acolytes and youth who were born after his last concert were treated to screenings of Michael Jackson’s hit album Thriller amongst others.

That his music was contemporary needed no advertisement, as a generation which was less familiar with his work got instantly hooked and his albums flew off the shelves in music stores worldwide. Fans were however, eagerly awaiting the screening of the final rehearsal of This Is It, recorded on 23rd June, 2009, two days before his death.

It was a sample of what might have been, although the real thing may have been far more spectacular, with screaming fans who always brought out the best in Michael. Yet, when This Is It, was premiered on Tuesday, 27th June, 2009 and shown the following day on 18,000 screens worldwide, this Kenny Ortega directed opus had all the finesse we associate with Michael Jackson. Looking a little frail and not quite as kinetic as we have known him, he still weaves a magic on the audience. The dancers, who for a change excel him, are totally in awe of the star.

The movie, inappropriately certified PG, incorporates all the old hits – Thriller, Human Nature, Billie Jean, Beat It etc.
The film has everything you could ask for; great music, stage craft, fluid movements, wit and pathos. Going into any further detail is pointless as no review can describe quite as vividly, what you will experience when you watch the movie. Snippets of interviews with musicians, singers and choreographers just reinforce what Michael Jackson fans always believed in, that he was the ultimate performer.
If you missed out on the movie screening, you should be able to buy the DVD or Blu-ray early next year.

When shooting the This Is It rehearsals, about 100 hours worth of footage were documented. This means that additional footage of 2-3 hours, not featured in the movie, will be available to those who buy the Blu-ray or DVD, in an extras section.  For any fan, buying this Michael Jackson DVD will be an act of final homage to the King of Pop.