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

7 wins & 9 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 | comeback | box office hit | year 2009 | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

Like You've Never Seen Him Before

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2009 (USA)

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

Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris states in an interview that she received an invite to audition for a spot on the tour via MySpace. When she showed up to audition, Jackson and other producers asked her to play the solo from the song "Beat It." After playing the piece, Jackson approached Panagaris, took her arm, and asked if she could play the solo walking across the stage at a specific speed. When she responded she could handle the assignment, Jackson hired her on the spot.

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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

Featured in Live from Studio Five: Episode #1.109 (2010)

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Soundtracks

The Way You Make Me Feel
Written and Performed by Michael Jackson

User Reviews

Thank You MJ

I saw This Is It today and all i can say is that it is fitting for the man Michael. That will say more than anything else about how well done this movie is. It makes me sad when i see what a fantastic production this could've been to know that the world never got a chance to see it. But i know it would've been amazing, that's more than enough for me.

For the film it is basically all of his biggest hits that would've been performed in the shows on the big screen instead. It's just rehearsal but he's still amazing in them. Between each song you got some insight into the bigger picture of the shows themselves, and sometimes you'd even get to see Michael as himself.

Michael you were truly one of God's greatest gifts to those of us lucky to be alive now. R.I.P