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

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Michael Jackson	...	Himself
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:

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.

Quotes:

Michael Jackson: This is the moment. This is it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Live from Studio Five: (#1.33)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Smooth Criminal

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...