Jackson's This Is It wins fan praise

Michael Jackson's family, friends and myriad fans packed into theatres around the globe overnight for the premiere of This Is It, the concert film assembled in the months since the iconic singer's sudden death in June.

Culled from more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage of him preparing for his This Is It concert series in London, the nearly two-hour film won high praise from family and fans, many of whom filled sold-out theatres and queued for hours beforehand.

"It's amazing to see him up there doing his thing," said the singer's brother, Jackie Jackson, who attended the Los Angeles premiere with brothers Jermaine, Marlon and Tito.

The film "was closure for me," Marlon Jackson added. "And it was a moment where I just felt his spirit inside of me. And that made me feel good."

Choreographer and director Kenny Ortega, the longtime Jackson collaborator who helmed This Is It, wiped away tears as he introduced the film at its the Los Angeles premiere, which also drew celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Neil Patrick Harris and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.

Distributor Sony opened This Is It with simultaneous premieres in 99 countries, with the mood in many cities both sad and celebratory.

"I loved seeing him in action again," said David Montalvo, who attended in New York City. "It's like you were able to see Michael again for the last time, so it was a good chance to say goodbye to him."

Alongside footage of Jackson's still-impressive voice, dazzling dance moves and firm but encouraging advice to his fellow performers, This Is It reveals a glimpse of the impressive and elaborate vision for the London series — unveiling some of the grand, sleek set pieces, the 3-D film extras and exciting routines.

"This was my only chance to see what he was going to do," said Renu Chowdhury, who had purchased tickets for one of Jackson's London concerts and attended a midnight screening of This Is It in Toronto.

The film's peek into the backstage workings 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," Jackson backup dancer Misha Gabriel said in Los Angeles.

"But I think that's the beauty of the film."

Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor, Jackson's longtime friend, was among a small group of family and close friends granted an early screening of the film. In a Twitter posting on Monday, she hailed the production and urged repeat viewings.

"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."

This Is It expands to cinemas in 110 territories this weekend. Though initially set for a two-week run, organizers have said that the film's time in theatres could be extended depending on demand.