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Movies / In Theaters / Michael Jackson's This Is It
Michael Jackson's This Is It

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Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)

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Reviews Counted:161

Fresh:129

Rotten:32

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: While it may not be the definitive concert film (or the insightful backstage look) some will hope for, Michael Jackson's This Is It packs more than enough entertainment value to live up to its ambitious title.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some suggestive choreography and scary images

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Oct 28, 2009 Wide

Box Office: $71,844,424

Synopsis: Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that... Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he has never been seen before. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his final show. Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson's creative partner and the director of the stage show is also directing the film, which is being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain. The film will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing. Tickets for the limited two-week engagement of the film go on sale beginning September 27. --© Sony [More]

Starring: Michael Jackson

Starring: Michael Jackson

Director: Kenny Ortega

Director: Kenny Ortega
Composer: Michael Bearden
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment

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Reviews for Michael Jackson's This Is It

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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As breathtaking as it is heartbreaking.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
12/02/09
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

A piecemeal attempt at putting a bow on Michael Jackson's overblown and bankrupt career, this clinical behind-the-scenes collage of the rehearsal process for MJ's doomed London performance schedule is more propaganda than documentary.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment 1 Comment
11/24/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

As much as This Is It recalls Jackson's genius, it perpetuates the exploitation that shaped his life.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
11/19/09
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

Now, when I see and hear the fan worship, I don't silently cringe. Never again. I nod my head in affirmation.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment 1 Comment
11/15/09
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

... a concert-that-never-was film that trumps that genre because of its ultimate humanity, imperfection and lack of overproduction

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
11/12/09
Michael Wade Simpson
Michael Wade Simpson
culturevulture.net

... unapologetically worshipful, but it delivers.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
11/12/09
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

A deeply creepy and disturbing exercise, in which we're exposed to footage that was likely never meant to see the light of day, featuring a performer who at the time was, literally, days away from death.

Full Review Source: The Trend | comment 5 Comments
11/11/09
Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver
The Trend

By the time the tour was gelling, the Weird One had left the building.

Full Review Source: Washington City Paper | comment Comment
11/11/09
Tricia Olszewski
Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper

As a posthumous document, This Is It offers a veiled, vaseline-lens look behind the curtain. As a cultural event, it's more than a little creepy and depressing.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
11/08/09
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

...a footnote to a complex, creative life that cannot be reduced to a cautionary tale. It is a glimpse of joy, a sequin shining amidst the ashes.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
11/07/09
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

What "This is It" accomplishes is key to not only preserving Jackson's memory, but also to galvanizing his myth. Onstage, he still moonwalks, but there are new moves to be had here and a voice that is still strong.

Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
11/06/09
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

A bizarre and opportunist piece of film-making.

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (UK) | comment 2 Comments
11/06/09
Rebecca Nicholson
Rebecca Nicholson
Sunday Times (UK)

I cannot image a visual record of any kind doing a better job of showing us what might have been, which makes it both a cause for celebration and its own unique tragedy

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
11/06/09
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

It's got a story, it's got music, it even has a hero, but what it lacks is soul.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
11/05/09
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

An incomplete tune.

Full Review Source: Illinois Times | comment Comment
11/05/09
Charles Koplinski
Charles Koplinski
Illinois Times

A joyous homage to Jackson's music and peerless dance moves. It's the way Jackson would have wanted to be remembered, and the way his fans will want to remember him.

Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
11/05/09
Mike Scott
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune

For those expecting something deeper than Ortega’s High School Musical trilogy, this ain’t it.

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment 2 Comments
11/05/09
Brett Michel
Brett Michel
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: San Antonio Express-News | comment Comment
11/05/09
Larry Ratliff
Larry Ratliff
San Antonio Express-News

Definitely not proof that Jackson was in good health and ready to go for a big show run. Quite the contrary.

Full Review Source: Tucson Weekly | comment 10 Comments
11/04/09
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Tucson Weekly

It's Jackson's history of visual iconography that This Is It should aspire to more often.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
11/04/09
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
 
 
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Latest News for Michael Jackson's This Is It

December 01, 2009: Michael Jackson Had Plans to Make 3D Feature Version of Thriller Opens in new window
The director of This Is It!, Kenny Ortega, has stated that Michael Jackson had wanted to make a feature length 3D version of his legendary music video for "Thriller," as well as... More...

November 30, 2009: Sony Says This Is It on January 26 Opens in new window
Hoping to give Michael Jackson's "This Is It" to friends and loved ones for Christmas this year? Sorry -- Sony won't be releasing it to the DVD and Blu-ray market until January 26. More...

November 25, 2009: This Is It's Lost 3-D Opportunities Opens in new window
2009 might have been the year that 3-D finally came into its own at the movies, but for the companies that were slated to add a third dimension to Michael Jackson's "This Is... More...

November 02, 2009: Kenny Ortega Talks This Is It DVD/Blu-ray Opens in new window
If you enjoyed "This Is It" last week, but wondered what was going to happen to all the footage that didn't make it into the final cut, Kenny Ortega has some good news for you:... More...

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