This Is It (2009)

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

Director:

Kenny Ortega

Stars:

Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Alexandra Apjarova

6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Jackson	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alex Al	...	Himself
Alexandra Apjarova	...	Herself
Nick Bass	...	Himself
Michael Bearden	...	Himself
Irina Brecher	...	Herself
Daniel Celebre	...	Himself
Mekia Cox	...	Herself
Miles Faber	...	Dancer at the Audition
Chris Grant	...	Himself
Misha Gabriel Hamilton	...	Himself
Judith Hill	...	Herself
Dorian Holley	...	Himself
Shannon Holtzapffel	...	Dancer
Devin Jamieson	...	Himself

Storyline

In the weeks before his death, Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was rehearsing a show, "This Is It," that was to open in July. This film begins with a few of the auditioning dancers speaking to the camera about why they're trying out and what Jackson means to them. Then we plunge into rehearsals at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The film is arranged by musical number with pre-recorded material and footage from Jackson's various rehearsals edited together to take us through what would have been the concert's set list.

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Plot Keywords:

rehearsal | michael jackson | comeback | reference to kenny ortega | reference to michael jackson | 

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Taglines:

Like You've Never Seen Him Before

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2009 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Michael Jackson's This Is It

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£4,877,255 (UK) (30 October 2009)

Gross:

$71,844,424 (USA) (27 November 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Michael Jackson Company, The, AEG Live

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The blimp in background of the "Smooth Criminal" section says "MJ Air". This was the name given to the airline in the unfinished 3D finale of the concert in which Michael and his dancers would board a plane and take off over the audience.

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Quotes

Kenny Ortega: We've rehearsed and Michael was great.

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Crazy Credits

After the closing credits there is another clip of Michael Jackson rehearsing.

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Connections

Edited from Diana (1981)

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Soundtracks

Threatened
Written by Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins (as Fred Jerkins III) and LaSean Daniels (as LaShawn Daniels)
Performed by Michael Jackson

User Reviews

Thriller

No one has any apology to make about this wonderful documentary, least of all Kenny Ortega. When I heard he intended to take "rehearsal" footage of the "This Is It" tour and market it as a film, I assumed it was an attempt to recoup the investment made in the project. Who could have guessed that this film would stand on its own and also enter the echelons of the "best" documentaries about rock music ever made? No less, Michael Jackson reveals more about himself in this footage than we've ever seen before. It's his premiere moment on film, and I would guess he would not have wanted it shown only because we see—for the first time—Jackson without a mask. I won't attempt to characterize this complicated, insanely talented, person, but basically he's painfully shy. And he excelled at one of the most public vocations there is: performing.

What's interesting about the footage is that it exists at all. But since concerts today use video projection for the large venues where they play, it was natural to include the cameras during the rehearsal period. And it's riveting! Nothing is ever less than compelling in large part due to the level of talent in all quarters. The dancers, the musicians, the back-up singers, sets, costumes…it's a parade of the best of the best. While Jackson is the center of all of this, if you don't care for him, there's plenty of other things to look at and enjoy.

Any sadness is brought by the viewer. There's not one nod to Jackson's demise or when it occurs. He looks thin, but even in a rehearsal mode, he's electrifying, and I think that's why the film works. We're not at some huge arena (for which the concert was conceived) with 10,000 screaming fans. And rather than missing that electricity, we get intimate performances of familiar Jackson material. But it's re-imagined and you never know what's coming next.

An alert: there is footage throughout the final credit sequence and after the credits end. And if you can, see it in a DP theater...for the sound alone. An amazing experience!