Whiter Than Your iPod.

Yes. I was one of those nerds who saw “This Is It” at midnight yesterday. Er, today. But I was glad I did.

I’m not sure if people who showed an interest in this movie jumped on the MJ bandwagon just “because” or what, but if you’re gonna see something like this and want to see it with people who aren’t going to whine and really want to be there, you go at midnight. If you go at midnight in Chelsea, you also get the bonus opening act of an overweight, two-left feet “Rocky Horror Picture Show” cast performing “Thriller,” as you scratch your head and ponder, “Who thought this was a good idea? No, really.”

The movie opens “Star Wars”-style, with a big opus of crawling text to set up the filming of the movie … in complete silence. I was waiting for an awkward shout or a yell, or even a “Shamon!”, but no one said a word. It was the first time I ever sat in a movie theatre where there was applause and reverence. It was like going to church. A church with dope music and hot-ass dancers. And they were probably the ones I felt for the most during the whole unfolding of the movie. Watching them was unreal. Forget their technical ability. Every single one of them were performing like it was the last time. And, oddly enough, it was.

I had read that MJ gave AEG some serious sticker shock as the cost of the film vignettes he wanted during the show grew and grew. And rightfully so. These weren’t background graphics someone made with After Effects in their basement. These were mini movies complete with lavish sets and green screens and makeup and costumes and guest appearances by Humphrey Bogart. The audience gasped as the next one outdid the “Did you just effing see that?” factor of the one before it. (The women next to me did this in response to everything, actually, in a creepy MJ Spring Awakening-type way. They also had no shoes on.)

As for Michael himself, watching him work and work things out was something I don’t think anyone has ever seen before. In one scene with the musical director, he literally argues over the intimate details of how “The Way You Make Me Feel” is being played for 15 minutes. It’s too fast. It’s too slow. You’re not letting it simmer. If that were anyone else, they would have gotten shut the hell down, but since it’s Michael Jackson, you “work with him” on it. He was never passive.

Working with him, by the way, seemed more like babying him at points. Every word out of Kenny Ortega’s mouth felt like it was wrapped in a Snuggie. But as firm as Michael was with what he wanted, he never turned diva. He negotiated. He gave firm suggestions. And then he would bless you. (See? Church.)

So, should you go? The answer is yes if you’re a person who likes watching things be put together; loves music, loves concerts, loves dance, loves elaboration.

There was an X-Factor Michael Jackson had that I don’t think will ever be matched by any other performer again. You don’t need to like him or even his music to go. You just need to appreciate watching someone do something better than it’s ever been done before and say, “Wow.”