TORONTO - With midnight screenings held in cities from Halifax to Victoria, Canadian Michael Jackson fans flocked to cinemas early Wednesday morning to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop's final days.

"This Is It," the film that chronicled Jackson's spring rehearsals for the series of 50 London comeback concerts planned before his death, opened overnight at theatres around the country.

At a midtown Toronto cinema, the scene was rather muted as fans began lining up an hour before showtime. There was no Moonwalking -- in fact, many of the Jackson fans in line sat down as the wait dragged on -- and only a few people arrived in costume.

Of course, many fans saw the premiere as a bittersweet occasion.

"It's sad, emotional," said Soula Todorovic, one of the few Toronto attendees who dressed up. She, along with her sister, Maria Konditsis, wore a black fedora and had "MJ" scrawled across her cheek.

"It's sort of our chance to say goodbye. Our tribute to him, one last time."

Toronto's Alexandra Osacnco said she didn't come to get closure, but just to see one more show from the King of Pop.

"To me, I still don't really believe he's dead," said Osacnco, who was born at the height of "Thriller"-mania in 1984 and has been a fan ever since. "So it's almost like seeing a concert as if it was being held in London, right. ...

"I don't think I'll ever have closure with Michael. I guess he was my idol. I never thought he could pass, so in my heart he never will."

And some fans were just swept up in the excitement of the event.

"With it being screened around the world tonight . . . we can say we were there," said Dave Tucker.

In fact, "This Is It" debuted simultaneously in 99 territories around the world. Late-night screenings were held in dozens of theatres across Canada ahead of the movie's wide release Wednesday.

The tightly guarded film was only shown to members of Jackson's family and inner circle and a select group of industry professionals prior to Tuesday night. It is set for a two-week engagement in cinemas, though that run could be extended if the movie is a hit.

Culled from over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, "This Is It" is part-documentary, part-concert film.

Performances of hits such as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal" are interspersed with candid moments with Jackson as the singer and his crew try to smooth the rough edges of an elaborate production.

Jackson, who was 50 when he died of cardiac arrest brought on by drugs on June 25, looks spry as he matches a young group of eager dancers move for move. He sounds good, too, even as he sings tentatively, hoping to preserve his voice.

Director Kenny Ortega, a longtime Jackson collaborator, had promised that the film would present the singer in a new light.

"The fans knew that he was the creative genius behind all the big ideas, but I think what's beautiful here is that you actually see him in action," Ortega told The Canadian Press in a recent interview.

The film does show Jackson actively getting involved in every facet of the production.

He selects his dancers, oversees the production of an over-the-top setpiece designed for "Thriller" (he does so while munching an orange lollipop in an unguarded moment) and brings rehearsal to a halt anytime he hears a note out of place.

Still, with his soft voice and unassuming manner, the film never shows him scold anyone without immediately offering encouragement.

"We'll get there," he says after asking his band for more bass in "Wanna Be Starting Something."

And it certainly doesn't seem as though the planned series of shows at London's O2 Arena would have lacked for production values.

There were gymnasts suspended in metal spheres for "Scream," a campy noir mini-movie filmed specifically for performances of "Smooth Criminal" and Jackson was to crawl out of a robotic spider during "Thriller."

Renu Chowdhury had tickets for one of Jackson's scheduled shows in London. She had to settle for a midnight screening of "This Is It" in Toronto.

"This was my only chance to see what he was going to do," said Chowdhury, who wore a sparkling silver glove on her right hand in honour of Jackson.

"So obviously, I had to come."