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 Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | 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: [to guitarist Orianthi Panagaris, encouraging her to play louder] This is your moment to shine.

Movie Connections:

Edited from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983) (TV)

Soundtrack:

HIStory

Genius ?

This was a clear view into the intergral preperation of a concert by a complete genius. I was never a Michael Jackson fan, however, my wife was and since she was desperate to see the film I decided to accompany her. I was astounded. I could not believe this man in the film was the same person that is was always hounded by the press and made to look like the devil. He was by no means weird, ill health, or a drug user. If he was, he masked it very well. The film shows us what we are missing as far as the concert goes and what a pity, it would have been amazing! He seemed at ease, and so happy and normal while on stage, as if it was built to be his. You would never believe this was the ''freak'' that the world perceived him to be. Shame on those people. Genius at work, a perfectionist down the smallest detail and I think the film has captured this very well. What I liked a lot was the fact that the film was not concentrating on his death and tradegy, but solely on his concert, his music, and his geniality and it was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our times. So I would urge anyone who has had any miss conceptions about the man to go see this, you like me will more than likely change your views on the man. RIP