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Michael Jackson's This Is It

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Stars: Michael Jackson

Director: Kenny Ortega

Rated: PG

Showing: Liberty Theatre.

Runtime: 112 minutes

Documentary/music

A must-see for grieving fans of the late King of Pop, who died from a heart attack in June.

Tagged "Like you've never seen him before", this documentary is a collection of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Jackson as he prepared for his sold-out This Is It gigs in London.

The 50-date series of concerts - due to begin less than three weeks after his death - would have been Jackson's first major performances since his HIStory world tour ended in 1997.

The gigs were being cited as one of the year's most important musical events and more than one million fans would have attended.

Jackson was directing the shows with the help of Kenny Ortega, the Emmy-winning producer, director and choreographer.

Ortega choreographed hit chick flick Dirty Dancing and Jackson's HIStory and Dangerous world tours, although he is best known these days as the director of the three High School Musical movies.

The documentary shows the duo at work and the star on stage perfecting his performances to hits such as Bad, Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean and Thriller.

The documentary has been slammed by some as a cynical attempt to make money from the singer's death but Jackson gave permission for it to be made.

His family is believed to be receiving 90 per cent of the profits, with the other 10 going to concert promoter AEG Live.

Besides, the biopic of Ray Charles was released just four months after his death in June 2004, while Walk The Line went into production about a year after Johnny Cash passed away in September 2003.

Fans will undoubtedly want to see their hero's final months and consider the release of his last performances a touching tribute to the legend.

Watch if you liked: Moonwalker.

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