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

5 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	...	Himself
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 | three word title | surprise after end credits | comeback | tryouts | 

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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 site Official site [br]

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

The footage was originally intended for the private library of Michael Jackson. It was also to be used to help the concert's creative team analyze, review and alter aspects of the show before completion.

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Quotes

Michael Jackson: [singing] I never felt so in love before / Promise baby, you'll love me forevermore. / I swear I'm keepin' you satisfied 'cause you're the one for me. / The way you make me feel... The way you make me feel / You really turn me on... You really turn me on / You knock me off of my feet, now baby-hee!... You knock me off of my feet / My lonely days are gone... My lonely days are gone.

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Crazy Credits

Additional Thanks to The Michael Jackson Fan Clubs Worldwide and everyone involved in the development and creation of "This Is It"

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Connections

Edited from Dead Reckoning (1947)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
Written and Performed by Michael Jackson
Original master excerpt courtesy of MJJ Productions/Epic Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Coming from a non-Michael Jackson fan...

I haven't been since I was a kid. I therefore had zero expectations for this movie, and even groaned that I had to come in at 6 this morning to preview it for my theater. That said, I was completely blown away and entertained from beginning to end. His voice and his dance moves are top form and timeless. He sang all his greatest hits, even from the J5 era, which really hit a soft spot with me. And people might be complaining that this isn't a typical concert movie...in truth, that is a big plus here. Typical concert movies are overly produced. The intimacy of this footage makes you feel, not like you're in a concert, but like you're witness to very private performances. You get to see first hand how involved this man was (to every little detail of production and planning). There are no crowds of screaming and crying fans to have to sit through (with the exception of a brief opening scene in which the auditioning dancers get a little too blubbery at times). This film easily reignited my appreciation for the man, who was without a doubt one of the greatest entertainers of our time. Complete 180 for me, I'll be the first to admit. And a side note, his female guitarist (her name escapes me) had me picking my jaw up off the floor, and not just her looks. You'll see what I mean.