Concert Firm Hawks Jackson 'Final Days' Film

Michael Jackson was in surprisingly good shape in dazzling footage

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson didn't live long enough to take the final bow he had planned in London, but critics agree This Is It is a fitting swan song, proof that the King of Pop really did have a comeback in him:

• "This Is It is quite extraordinary. If there was any doubt that Michael was in control of the shows or his decisions, those fears are allayed here," writes Roger Friedman for the Hollywood Reporter. "It is truly amazing, considering the last 16 years of total lunacy, to see him so capable."

It's not a concert film—but King of Pop 'very much alive' for 111 minutes

(NEWSER) - This Is It opens this week, but most, if not all, fans still have no idea what to expect of the Michael Jackson film, which has not been aired for critics. It’s not a concert film, says director Kenny Ortega, who also choreographed Jackson’s ill-fated London shows, but fans will get “wall-to-wall music. You see Michael onstage rehearsing many of the songs that would've appeared in the concert,” he tells USA Today. “But there's no one there watching except for a handful of dancers. And 18,000 empty seats.” More»

(AP) - A judge has approved a deal that will bring more Michael Jackson merchandise to store shelves. The judge heard from attorneys for Jackson's mother, Katherine, the current administrators of Jackson's estate and a newly appointed attorney for the singer's three young children. The merchandise agreement allows for items such as trading cards, clothing and digital goodies to be sold. More»

Fans will get to see rehearsals for London concerts

(AP) - Audiences will get to see the King of Pop perform one more time after a judge approved a major movie deal based on footage of his final rehearsals for his London comeback. A Los Angeles superior court judge greenlighted a deal between Michael Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG Live, and Columbia Pictures on Friday and announced his ruling today. More»

Many fans likely to opt for pricey Jacko souvenir instead of money back

(NEWSER) - The 750,000 people in 200 countries who bought ticket vouchers for Michael Jackson's planned 50-gig comeback will be able to get full refunds, the Los Angeles Times reports. Promoters AEG Live say any fans who paid for tickets through authorized agents will have the choice of getting either their money back, including service charges—or the ticket as a memento of the late singer. More»