THIS IS IT

Michael Jackson's This Is It (commonly known as This Is It) is a 2009 American documentary/concert film directed by Kenny Ortega and starring Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega, Orianthi Panagaris. It documents Michael Jackson's rehearsals and preparation for the series of concert of the same name scheduled to start on July 13, 2009, but canceled due to his death eighteen days prior on June 25. The film is now the highest grossing concert film and documentary in the saga of pictures.

The feature film consists of Jackson rehearsing musical numbers and guiding his group, and extra behind the scenes footage as well as dancer auditions and outfit design. Ortega dedicated the film to Jackson's three children. The footage was filmed at both the Staples Center arena and The Forum in Los Angeles, California. In spite of originally being set for October 30, the picture's release date was rescheduled for October 28, 2009 due to a strong demand by Jackson's fans. The movie was given a wide worldwide release and a limited two-week theatrical run from October 28, to November 12, 2009. Tickets went on sale a month early on September 27, 2009, to gratify a high anticipated demand; to date, the film has broken numerous records via tickets both pre-sale and sales global.

Since the movie's confirmation, AEG Live has faced criticism; mostly consisting of lies that they had only made the film to make a gain. Many members of Jackson's family had confirmed that they didn't hold the movie and some family members went as far as to try to stop the film contract in August. The picture has also been surrounded by multiple controversies, including allegations about the look of body doubles in place of Jackson; which Sony was reluctant, and an fury from Jackson fans; with some going as far as to start a protest against the picture. On August 10, 2009, a judge approved a deal between Jackson's property, concert promoter AEG Live, and Sony Pictures. The contract allowed Sony to edit the hundreds of hours of trial footage needed to create the movie. Sony subsequently paid $60 million for the movie rights.

The preview premiered during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009, along with the simultaneous launching of the film's official website. The feature film was released to mainly positive reviews from both critics and Jackson fans; the movie's portrayal of Jackson and his performances were generally praised, while criticism mainly consisted of both critics and fans having felt that the film was made just to gain off Jackson's demise and that Jackson wouldn't have wanted the film released because he was a "uncompromising worker". In the film's opening weekend it grossed over $23 million - in the United States alone - making the film number one at the box office and making it the fifth highest-grossing Halloween debut. The feature film's global revenue gross was in total $252.4 million during its theatrical run making it the maximum grossing documentary or concert feature film of all time.

It was released on October 28, 2009. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 80% of 162 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.1 out of 10. In the second week, it was out grossed by A Christmas Carol.