This Is It

Name: This Is It
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: October 28, 2009
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Michael Jackson

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 212 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 212 Ratings

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Michael Jackson's This Is It

Now Playing: Michael Jackson's This Is It

Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: October 28, 2009 | PG

Starring: Michael Jackson

Summary: 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 producedMichael 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. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Director: Kenny Ortega

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: PG

Runtime: 111 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

[An] extraordinary documentary, nothing at all like what I was expecting to see. Here is not a sick and drugged man forcing himself through grueling rehearsals, but a spirit embodied by music. Michael Jackson was something else. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

A spectacular record of rehearsals for a show that wasn't to be. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Watching it, I saw him from some new angles -- painful as well as celebratory -- and I realized that this isn't it: This, as with Elvis' posthumous career, is only the beginning. Read full review

Connie Ogle

Reveals little about the personal aspects of the deeply troubled man behind the sunglasses -- it naturally deals with none of the darker aspects of Jackson's life -- but it deftly underlines his commitment to showmanship. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

This Is It delivers neither the full-on Jackson stage experience or a revealing portrait of his complex mindset. Yet it does not dishonour his memory and you can’t deny the power of the music. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Neither a true concert film nor a strict behind-the-scenes documentary, This Is It is, like Jackson himself, a real hybrid. Read full review

Aidin Vaziri

Those who stuck with the troubled pop icon after his universe shifted from the charts to the tabloids probably will find equal measures of inspiration and heartbreak in the documentary. For everyone else, it's a strange offering. Read full review

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User Reviews

AnneG.

Jan 26, 2010

I watched it at 20th century in Nairobi. It was packed and people were screaming. Kenyans L.O.V.E Michael !!! Understand this haters, mike is universal, he will never die and your hate for him creates even more love for him.The negative press did nothing in 20 years! He has God's favour.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Sakata

Mar 20, 2022

This film is simply the best possible and impossible tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson, approaching his farewell tour. It can also be considered one of Kenny Ortega's best directing works.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

YunX.

Oct 28, 2009

I had my fear going in, but it was all shattered. A blast that far exceeds my expectation. This is a must-see for every MJ fan and even non-fans to understand why he was so popular and deserved every bit of the title King of the Pop. A consummate artist, a perfectionist, and a visionary. I had my fear going in, but it was all shattered. A blast that far exceeds my expectation. This is a must-see for every MJ fan and even non-fans to understand why he was so popular and deserved every bit of the title King of the Pop. A consummate artist, a perfectionist, and a visionary. The film is overflowed with his energy, passion, and dedication, although he was like a child sometime too. If the rehearsals could be this good and engaging, one could only imagine what the concerts would've been. His voice sometimes showed his age; however, his dance moves were not, at all. He was thin and his face could still scare you, but physically he was in superb shape that you couldn't tell he was 50 or on drugs. In addition, the young lead female guitarist was not just good looking, but crazily good with the guitar as well. Smooth Criminal segment is probably my favorite, but they're almost all very excellent. I don't feel the film is exploiting his death in any way. Rather it's paying the tribute and gives fans something they deserve to see. The film, in some sense, was constrained in a good way and feels intimate. A lot of applause in the theater, and many stayed all the way through the end credit.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DylanY

Nov 6, 2009

I normally do not write reviews on Metacritic, but in this case I think that the Metacritic rating (67) does not do justice to this masterful piece of filmmaking. For me what's truly moving about this film is watching artistic genius -- not just Michael Jackson, but also everyone I normally do not write reviews on Metacritic, but in this case I think that the Metacritic rating (67) does not do justice to this masterful piece of filmmaking. For me what's truly moving about this film is watching artistic genius -- not just Michael Jackson, but also everyone around him. All are absolutely the best at what they do. Sure, the "This Is It" tour would ultimately have been a "commercial event," but the fact is the people behind it have real artistic integrity and talent. Watching the sausage being made and seeing this skill at work is a rare experience. Personally, I would much rather see this movie than an actual concert. Anyone who appreciates music and artistry should see this movie; the reviewer who said "it's like watching band practice" clearly has no appreciation for either.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JPK

Jul 2, 2019

A Great Tribute To Jackson
This Is It shows the final days of one of, If not the best singer of all time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mornington

Oct 23, 2010

The film reveals more about Michael Jackson as a hard-working and meticulously attentive artist than any other insight over his lifetime, a really good film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MONTYQ

Oct 28, 2009

Cant believe that this pedo is still going strong even after his death.

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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43	#43 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
73	#73 Most Shared Movie of 2009