If you are all like you me, you viewedthe release of Micheal Jackson's This is it! with a great deal ofsuspicion and cynicism. The endless torrent of tabloid informationsurrounding his career coupled with the bizarre reality of the actualcircumstances of his untimely death, overshadowed any chance ofobjectivity walking into this film.

Thenwhen it was reported that the Jackson family collected a cool sixtymillion turning the rights over to Sony while Micheal's body liewaiting somewhere to be buried - just added to the weirdnesssurrounding this project.

Nothing like contempt prior to investigation - I had it in spades.

Jacksonhas always been a bit of an enigma to me. I always wondered how hewrote songs when he couldn't play instruments. How much of his successwas due to Quincy Jones?

There werealso the nasty allegations, never proven in a court of law, thatreportedly led to his withdrawal from public life. Were these true?

Whateverthe facts, Jackson had undeniably created one odd public persona forhimself. Naming kids Paris, Prince Micheal, and Blanket didn't exactlyallay the public's suspicions that here was one eccentric dude.

Thisis It!, expertly and affectionately culled from hours of rehearsalfootage for the show that was to debut in London 8 days after his deathwas full of surprises that shattered almost all my preconceptions.Director and show co-creator Kenny Ortega deserves a great deal ofcredit for assembling such coherent and complete picture of Jackson insuch short order after his death.

Jacksoncomes across in ways that completely surprised me. It had been reportedthat Jackson had become some sort of drugged out zombie-weirdo who wasbeing manipulated by those around him.  There was no evidence of thatin This is It! where Jackson appears engaged and fully in charge ofvirtually all aspects of the creation and refinement of the show thathad pre-sold 800,000 tickets.

Hisinput into musical arrangements, dance routines, and other show detailswere crisp, pointed, and insightful in a way that almost alwaysimproved the outcome. He came across as a show business pro of thehighest order, who knew exactly what he was doing and had the attention and respect of all those working with him.

Whatwas also clear, was the remarkable talent and charisma Jackson had.Even performing at 50% he was never less than riveting. There had beenstories Jackson had lost his voice, and the London shows would all belip synced. Yet in the movie his voice was strong, textured and richwith his trademark vibrato throughout the rehearsals - no lip syncappeared necessary.

They also saidhe was so frail and weak and couldn't dance, yet his dancing literallystopped other dancers in their tracks to watch. No one can dance likeMichael Jackson - you just have to see the opening five minutes of Thisis It! when he breaks into Wanna Be Startin Something to realize what atalent this man was. Don't be surprised if you get goosebumps.

Inthe end however the movie was sad. What caused him to live that life ofdrug induced sleep that eventually killed him? He seemed like a humbleand nice person. Why did this have to happen him? It's sad.

These questions I am afraid may never be answered, but so many others are in This is It!

Music Video of the Year hands down.