This Is It (2009)

Director:

Kenny Ortega

Release Date:

28 October 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

Like You've Never Seen Him Before

Plot:

A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London. |

Plot Keywords:

Rehearsal | Pop Star | Star Died Before Release | Three Word Title | Live Music

US Showtimes:

The Bridge: Cinema de lux

7:45pm | 10:30

(personalize)

Cast

Michael Jackson	...	Himself (archive footage)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alex Al	...	Himself - Electric and Synth Bass
Nick Bass	...	Himself - Dancer
Michael Bearden	...	Himself - Keyboards
Daniel Celebre	...	Himself - Dancer
Mekia Cox	...	Herself - Dancer
Misha Gabriel	...	Himself - Dancer
Chris Grant	...	Himself -Dancer
Judith Hill	...	Herself - Vocalist
Dorian Holley	...	Himself - Vocal Director
Shannon Holtzapffel	...	Himself -Dancer
Devin Jamieson	...	Himself -Dancer (as Devin Andrew Jamieson)
Bashiri Johnson	...	Himself - Percussion
Charles Klapow	...	Himself - Dancer
Jonathan Moffett	...	Himself - Drums
Tommy Organ	...	Himself - Guitar
Orianthi	...	Herself - Lead Guitar (as Orianthi Panagaris)
Kenny Ortega	...	Himself
Darryl Phinnessee	...	Himself - Vocalist
Mo Pleasure	...	Himself - Keyboards / Trumpet
Dres Reid	...	Himself - Dancer
Ken Stacey	...	Himself - Vocalist
Tyne Stecklein	...	Herself - Dancer
Timor Steffens	...	Himself - Dancer
Stacy Walker	...	Herself - Assistant Choreographer

Also Known As:

Michael Jackson's This Is It (USA) (complete title)
Michael Jackson's This Is It: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images.

Runtime:

USA:111 min | Argentina:112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Japan:G | USA:PG (certificate #45652) | Norway:7 | Iceland:L | Ireland:PG | UK:PG | South Korea:All | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/6 | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Australia:G | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Mexico:A

Filming Locations:

Staples Center - 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

In 1983, Paul Anka co-wrote with Michael Jackson the song I Never Heard, which was retitled and released in 2009 under the name This Is It. This was not noted in the film credits, although it has been confirmed by Anka on ABC's "The View" (1997).

Quotes:

Michael Jackson: It's an adventure. It's a great adventure. We want to take them places that they've never been before. We want to show them talent like they've never seen before.

Movie Connections:

Edited from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983) (TV)

Soundtrack:

This Is It

This is truly it!

Forget everything you think you know about Michael Jackson. Forget the scandals, the surgeries, the rumors, the mysteries. Just accept that we're all innocent until proved guilty in America and let it all go. Michael Jackson was the greatest dancer in the history of mankind. This documentary shows that hours before his death, he remained the greatest dancer in the history of mankind. He was a revelation, pure and simple. And the greatest achievement in Kenny Ortega's simple, elegant tribute is that it allows the viewer, without a shred of distraction, to witness the process of an artist. Sure, some of the footage is a little amateurish, as this was meant for Michael Jackson' records more than anything else. But that's the fun of it. The viewer gets to witness the raw nature of the artist rather than the glossy outcome that would have been the final product. If you're concerned that the film will be an act of gross exploitation and an attempt to squeeze every last dime in the wake of Michael Jackson's death, know this: I haven't the slightest doubt that Michael would have wanted his fans to see this footage. Of course it's exploitive, don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise, but so what: All documentaries are exploitive to some degree and tasteful exploitation is better than tasteless exploitation. This is a film about the process, nothing more. We're just lucky that this process happens to revolve around the finest entertainer of our time. If you're even the slightest fan, this is a must see. If you're not, I dare you not to be won over. Also, if you're looking for signs of fatigue from Michael Jackson, you will be disappointed. In fact, if there's one thing that bothered me about the film, it's that Michael was in such terrific shape that it's angering to think he died so close to the finish line. We don't have many great entertainers left in the world. And the fact that at 50 years of age, operating at about 80% energy wise, Michael blows the top 10 pop singers of today out of the sky, is rather remarkable. Prepare for an emotional and downright exciting concert-film. "This is it" will show the world that with all the noise, all the distractions, all the craziness: Michael Jackson still had it. And then some...