Great review, said everything I thought as I watched this movie.
I have to admit that I was embarrassed to want to see this movie, partly because I didn’t know where the money was going to and partly because of the things that Jackson has been accused of over the years.
I was in elementary school during the “Beat It” and ” Thriller” phase of Jackson’s career and it was incredible, we spent many hours on the school playground watching the boy’s break dance, and everyone wanted to moonwalk. So… I finally broke down and asked my husband if he would go, and he was eager to go as well. I was really pleased with the movie and found it very insightful in the man. I have always thought the use of the world genius in reference to Michael Jackson was strange -but I now understand it, he was a musical genius he can hear and picture how things should sound in his mine and explain to people how to produces those sounds in ways that are beyond me. I was also impressed with his calmness in situations that became frustrating, where many others would at least raise their voice he remained calm and re-explained his wishes, coaching the person, until they understood what he was looking for. It was an interesting film, and surprisingly complete. He had taken a lot of footage of practice, it also looked like they had inserted some footage that was not from this time frame. In particular the footage where he was wearing a blue outfit and a pony-tail looked like a younger MJ. But I was pretty impressed by the amount of actual footage they had to work with.
Whatever one thinks of Michael Jackson, I think it is hard not to be impressed by how awesome this concert would have been. But, yes, we all could have done without the footage of the burning Rainforest and the little girl –
I to, walked away from the movie going wow – he sure didn’t seem like a closet drug addict…

Just saw the movie with my 13 year old son, who loves the music and the dancing of MJ. I was also struck by how hard he worked during rehersals and how in tune he was with the music. People forget that he created the music and lyrics, not with instruments but with his mind and his ear and his vocalization. I thought it was fascinating when he would get carried away during rehersals and say that he had to stop to save his voice. You are right on about the timing and knowing exactly the sound he wanted at teh exact right moment in the show. Also the dancers were awesome, as was the guitarist. Could have done without the lame enviro part. But overall both my son and I enjoyed the movie.

Oh yeah, I know this is one of your peeves, there was a 3 or 4 year boy singing and dancing in the aisle, I guess it could have been annoying if it wasn’t so dang cute, we went to an early show, so it wasn’t very crowded.

After reading that he really was in great shape one has to wonder at the work out it must have been chasing those little boys around Neverland.

J: Never proven that he was. Not saying he was or wasn’t. We just don’t know for sure, either way. DS

“To each his/her own.”

It appears that you like Satch. Have you checked out Chickenfoot? Would love to see your review.