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:

Discover The Man You Never Knew

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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] Billie Jean is not my lover.

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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 The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)

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Soundtracks

"Black or White (Intro)"
Composed by Bill Bottrell

User Reviews

A Fitting Final Performance

My wife asked me to see this movie tonight as sort of a preview,to let her know if we should see it together on our day off.As we are both Michael Jackson fans,I would have to give an emphatic "YES" to that.I was really apprehensive,since I thought that it would just be some rehearsals with tons of filler(biographical info,etc),but most of the numbers were pretty fleshed out,music and choreography wise.Some of the special effects were amazing,and I really liked the extended intro of "The Way You Make Me Feel".I liked the way they tried to make the film feel like a performance,rather than a eulogy.The talent,from the dancers to the musicians to the lighting and effects crew were just first rate all the way.I thought beforehand that this might be just a cynical cash grab-one more trip to the ATM from Michaels legacy,but honestly,I think they may just be trying to recoup some of the enormous costs of putting on a show that never came to fruition.And if some of us fans can enjoy seeing MJ one more time in such a classy way,Im all for it.