Jackson delivers on 'This Is It,' fans say

"I thought it was great," the 19-year-old said. "People were clapping, screaming. It was crazy. It's like he's still alive. People still scream for him. His music is still alive."

Before the Los Angeles premiere, Ortega wiped away tears as he greeted dancers and celebrity guests, including Paula Abdul. Among others attending were Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.

Said Abdul afterward: "It was beautiful. It was sad. It brought you closer to who he was as a person."

It was the biggest cinematic blowout ever for a music film as "This Is It" opened for paying customers immediately after the premieres, with evening and midnight screenings in North America to middle-of-the-night and morning showings in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

Distributor Sony, which paid $60 million for the film rights, opened "This Is It" in 99 countries. It expands to 110 territories this weekend.

"I was tossing and turning with nervous feelings all night. Michael Jackson is a hero in my life, and I cannot wait to see the final shot of Michael," said Noh Kyeong-ae, a 34-year-old accountant, sobbing at a movie theater in Seoul, South Korea.

The simultaneous showings around the globe were anchored by a star-studded premiere at the Nokia Theatre, a concert venue across the street from Staples Center, where many of Jackson's rehearsals — and his high-profile public memorial — were held.

The plaza in front of the Nokia Theatre was transformed into an elegant red-carpet arrivals area, with a dozen crystal chandeliers, displays of Jackson's past costumes and "This Is It" spelled out in giant letters.

Jackson memorabilia was on sale inside, from T-shirts proclaiming "I Love MJ" to key rings reading "King of Pop."

The film captures Jackson dressed with customary flamboyance, his fashion flourishes including military epaulets, sequins and gold-spangled pants.

Jackson backup dancer Misha Gabriel said the film is "such an honest and raw look at the creative process that at times it makes me think that maybe he wouldn't want people to see so much of the creative process before it was finalized. But I think that's the beauty of the film."

"It's Michael becoming great, perfecting his perfection, if that makes sense," said fellow dancer Nick Bass.

Some of Jackson's family and friends saw "This Is It" in advance. Elizabeth Taylor, a longtime friend of the pop star, posted her thoughts Monday on Twitter.

"It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen," she wrote. "It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity."

The 77-year-old actress added that she "wept from pure joy at his God-given gift" and urged her fans to see the film "again and again."

Clocking in at one hour, 51 minutes, the film was culled from more than 100 hours of footage that captures Jackson as a showman, a mentor coaching backup talent and a goodwill ambassador.

Near the film's end, Jackson and the crew hold hands as he gives them a pep talk about the London shows.

"It's a great adventure," Jackson tells his colleagues. "We want to take them places they've never been before. We have to bring love back into the world."

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