This Is It
A kinetic backstage portrait preserves Michael Jackson’s final concert preparations as both a dazzling creative achievement and a poignant unfinished farewell.
Overview
A behind-the-scenes look at the final preparations of a legendary pop star's comeback concert.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- energetic
- nostalgic
- celebratory
- music night
- concert film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and revealing record of Michael Jackson's rehearsal craft, while noting that it is not a definitive concert film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film edits footage from Michael Jackson's rehearsals into the planned concert set list rather than documenting a completed performance.
Rehearsals at Staples Center show Jackson, dancers, musicians, choreographers, and production staff refining songs, choreography, visuals, and staging.
The rehearsal footage was captured shortly before Michael Jackson's death, giving its energetic performance material a pronounced elegiac undertone.
The film documents the preparation for the July concert that never opened, turning production footage into a record of Jackson's late career.
Films like This Is It, and why
Madonna: Truth or Dare
Shared concert-documentary format, backstage rehearsal access, and emphasis on a legendary pop performer’s stagecraft.
Stop Making Sense
Shared music documentary focus, electrifying live-performance footage, and intimate access to a major touring artist.
The Last Waltz
Shared musical documentary structure, performance-driven editing, and celebratory portrait of a culturally influential musician.
Movie Details
- Director
- Kenny Ortega
- Release Date
- 2009-10-28
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1109)
Cast
- Michael Jackson
- Orianthi
- Kenny Ortega
- Dorian Holley
- Patrick Woodroffe
- Bashiri Johnson
- Mo Pleasure
- Tommy Organ
- Jasmine Alveran
- Jonathan Moffett
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV, Sundance Now, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is This Is It about?
- A kinetic backstage portrait preserves Michael Jackson’s final concert preparations as both a dazzling creative achievement and a poignant unfinished farewell.
- What is This Is It like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of This Is It as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is This Is It violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in This Is It.
- What did critics think of This Is It?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic and revealing record of Michael Jackson's rehearsal craft, while noting that it is not a definitive concert film.
- Which films are like This Is It?
- Films with a similar feel include Madonna: Truth or Dare, Stop Making Sense, and The Last Waltz.
- How long is This Is It?
- This Is It runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch This Is It?
- In United States, This Is It streams on YouTube TV, Sundance Now, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
