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.

---

Plot Keywords:

rehearsal | comeback | year 2009 | 2000s | reference to kenny ortega | 

---

Taglines:

Like You've Never Seen Him Before

---

Genres:

Documentary | Drama | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

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 USA:

$23,234,394, 1 November 2009

Gross USA:

$72,091,016

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$261,183,588

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, The Michael Jackson Company, AEG Live

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1983, Paul Anka co-wrote with Michael Jackson the song 'I Never Heard', which was retitled and released in 2009 under the name 'This Is It'. This was not noted in the film credits, although it has been confirmed by Anka on ABC's The View (1997).

---

Quotes

Michael Jackson: [singing] Annie are you okay? / So, Annie are you okay? / Are you okay, Annie? / Annie are you okay? / So, Annie are you okay? / Are you okay, Annie? / Annie are you okay? / So, Annie are you okay? / Are you okay, Annie?

---

Crazy Credits

There are two scenes after the closing credits. The first was a clip of Michael rehearsing "Human Nature" a couple of weeks before his death. The other was a video of the little girl who appeared in "Earth Song" holding the earth with the words "Heal The World" above her, followed by Michael's signature, and his final message to his fans: "I love you."

---

Connections

Edited from Goin' Back to Indiana (1971)

---

Soundtracks

Jam
Written by Michael Jackson, Rene Moore (as René Moore), Bruce Swedien and Teddy Riley
Performed by Michael Jackson
Original master excerpt courtesy of MJJ Productions/Epic Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Moved with no expectations.

I went to see this movie as a non-Michael Jackson fan with absolutely no expectations. I bought the tickets for the world premiere as a birthday gift for my girlfriend. We went to the cinema in the morning and from the beginning I was moved. I have never done it before but in the very beginning a tear came to my eye. Thinking that this guy, with so much energy is 50 years old and about to die. When I bought the tickets I expected a movie with some biography of Michael, a lot of interviews etc, but there is none of this in the movie. The whole movie is about how the concerts would be, but I still didn't feel like I was seeing a concert. I was seeing a little family making a big project come true. I also expected to see Michael less weak, than some of his others concerts, but damn.. If you didn't know he was dead, and saw him dance and sing like he does there is no way you could predict that he was about to die of illness. There was no way I wanted to pay for tickets to his concerts before this day, but now I would pay 500$ for seeing those concerts in London. Although that This is it was about the concerts, the movie also consist a little sense of humor, love and a insight to the worlds climate problems.

A really great job, with great cutting and editing. This movie is a must see for everyone! Even though you aren't a fan of Michael, go watch it!