Gone too soon. I dare anyone who sees "This Is It" not to mutter these words.

Michael Jackson is dead. But, the late legend lives, breathes and dances up a storm in the new tribute doc, "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

After all the speculation and over-the-hill shots taken at the 50-year-old performer, Kenny Ortega's filmed chronicle of "the concert that never was" drills one message home loud and clear.

Jackson was still dangerous on the dance floor.

Far from being a frail, crippled kook, Jackson is the man with the plan here.

He busts a move with dancers half his age. He commands details to life on stage like Moses parting the sea, tossing in a "God bless you" at his crew even when he's most peeved.

Jackson does look gaunt -- and frail. But that seems to magically disappear when he takes to the stage.

Singing with unmistakable -- and unassisted -- vibrancy, Jackson is the mastermind of what would have been the concert experience of his career.

AEG, Jackson's concert promoter, lavished loads of dough on this big comeback. Next to Jackson's voice, the production's big budget calls out to us from the screen with almost as much power.

Among the spectacular production numbers we glimpse is a 3D remake of "Thriller." In fact, the eerie ghosts flung through the air here send a chill up the spine. It is inevitable, knowing what we do now about Jackson's tragic death.

Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" is also played out with crazy, big-buck drama against "Gilda," Rita Hayworth's 1946 black-and-white classic.

Jackson is flung into her famous "Put The Blame On Mame" number. He catches Hayworth's glove, puts it in his breast pocket and is shot at by Humphrey Bogart in a stunning chase sequence.

It's big. It's Hollywood. It's Michael Jackson all the way.

Yet, behind these stagey numbers lies Jackson's steel-trap mind.

"It needs more booty," Jackson tells one keyboard player, using a shorthand of words and gestures to perfect the beat on "The Way You Make Me Feel."

"Michael knows his music," says one musician. "You better know his stuff before you start talking to him.

Ditto for those mad, bad, thrilling dance moves.

Perfectionist Jackson schools his young dancers until their every move becomes a brilliant extension of the pop icon on stage.

Thanks to Ortega's editing, Jackson's few words build these boys and girls up until they fly across the stage looking like the bright lights Jackson wants them to be.

The production's only fault is that we never really hear Jackson talk at any great length.

Jackson talks extensively on only two occasions.

Once is when he shares his concerns about the environment, a message that plays a key role throughout the production.

"People say 'They'll take care of it.' Who is they? We are all responsible," Jackson voices with audible frustration.

In a prayer circle with his crew, Jackson also voices thanks and his expectations from the dancers in his company.

"Give me your all," he tells them. "But, don't be nervous. This is a great adventure."

Indeed it is.

From start to finish, "This Is It" is filled with many emotional moments. One, in particular, comes when Jackson calls out a "thank you" to his brothers and parents at the end of one rehearsal number.

Far from being a sugary goo-fest, however, "This Is It" reminds audiences of Jackson's humour as well as his talent.

"Hold on," Ortega calls out to Jackson as he his carried into the air by one machine contraption. Jackson looks down at Ortega, dismissing his director's fears with a few zingers.

Some of Jackson's costumes, particularly one jacket with pointy shoulder pads that rise towards the heavens, will likely earn a few zingers of their own.

That aside, Ortega captures something quite extraordinary in "This Is It"

Jackson the man, not the lunatic, is the star of this show.

"This Is It" grants Jackson and his extraordinary talent one final, respectful, in-your-face nod.

"He's the King. There will never be anyone like him," says one eerie Jackson lookalike sitting next to me.

I look at Jackson's fan, look to the screen and think, "You said it pal."

Three and a half stars out of four