In June of this year we lost the greatest entertainer of our time, Michael Jackson. Almost as tragic as the sudden nature of his passing was that it happened so close to the start of his be all, end all, final tour for the fans entitled This Is It. Though the fans never got the pleasure of seeing Michael's vision realized, his family has permitted the release of the rehearsal footage that was recorded for Michael's personal records. That footage has been edited together to create This Is It, a glimpse into the final days of the King of Pop.

This Is It is a basic run-through of the planned set list for the concerts on Jackson's final tour. Jackson and his dancers rehearse the routines that have been created, and tour director Kenny Ortega goes through the blocking, lighting, and pyrotechnic setups for each song. All of this takes place on an almost complete stage like the one that will be used for each stop on the tour. At the time of the taping some of the more technically advanced portions of the show have not been completed, but have been rendered on a computer for the audience to see. The video caveats between songs were finished, however, and are shown in all their glory during the rehearsals. It really makes you wish these concerts had actually happened.

Along with rehearsal footage, there are also interviews with the dancers, backup singers, musicians, and other members of the crew in order to document the process for Michael. These interviews really emphasize how important this tour was not just to Michael but to everyone involved. All of the dancers are huge fans of Jackson and are extremely honored to be a part of this tour. Though the people involved never got to put the final pieces together, it comes through that everyone was more than happy to simply work with such a wonderful human being as Michael Jackson.

I can't say enough good things about this film. There is nothing special about the compilation as it just goes from one song to another with the occasional brief interview with crew members. This film is great because of its content. Michael performs all of the classics flawlessly even though he dials down his singing to conserve his voice for the live shows. His dancing is still phenomenal and he is backed up by some incredible young dancers. There is no doubt in my mind that had this tour happened, it would have been unforgettable and brought Michael back into the mainstream for the right reasons.

Even better than the performances themselves, is the look at Michael's involvement in the production. Michael has a specific vision for these shows and knows how to go about realizing that vision. What is amazing to watch is how he operates to achieve his goal. Even when things aren't going the way he wants, Michael is nothing but polite. He does everything with love and is sure to emphasize that point whenever possible. Whether he is trying to get the right sound from the band or adjusting the audio, he never raises his voice no matter how frustrating the situation. Michael was an amazing person and This Is It does a wonderful job of proving that fact.

This Is It is a film that I can't really do justice in words alone. No review can convey the emotions associated with seeing this film for yourself. All I can really do is recommend that you do yourself a favor and see this film before it is taken from the theaters after its 2 week release period. It's an incredible experience that fans of Michael Jackson should not miss. If you are still dealing with the loss of the King of Pop and looking for closure, This Is It.