Michael Jackson was just days from the biggest comeback in pop history.
Then he died in rehearsals.
“This is It” goes behind-the-scenes on the rehearsals he died during.
It’s the best inside look I’ve seen on the musical genius of MJ.
I currently rank this #2 on my list of “The Best Michael Jackson Documentaries” (I’ve got 15 of them!).
Trailer for “This Is It”
Watch This Is It
You can watch “This Is It” on Peacock (if you’re a subscriber). The Roku Channel has it for free (with ads) last I checked (April 14, 2025).
You can also rent it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple et al ($3.99 each last I checked).
You can find the latest streaming options on JustWatch.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 82/100 (Users); 81/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Kenny Ortega directed this 112-minute doc. He’s widely known for choreographing “Dirty Dancing” and directing Disney hits like “High School Musical,” “Hocus Pocus,” and “Descendants”.
Ortega also helmed several major music documentaries and concert films such as “Michael Jackson: Dangerous – The Short Films” in 1993 (that’s the music videos of Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, including “Black or White”, “Gone Too Soon”, “Jam”, “Heal the World” and more). He also directed the “The Cheetah Girls: One World” doc and was a key creative force behind numerous Olympic ceremonies and large-scale music tours for Madonna, Cher and Gloria Estefan.
Release Date: October 28, 2009 (worldwide theater release, just four months after Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009)
My Review of “This Is It”
The Setup
The Setup — “This Is It” captures Michael Jackson’s final months as he prepares for what was supposed to be a 50-show comeback residency at London’s O2 Arena.
Shot between March and June 2009, the footage was originally intended for Jackson’s personal archives but became something more profound—the last glimpse of a legendary performer meticulously crafting his farewell tour.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Despite being 50 years old, Jackson kept perfect pace with dancers half his age, frequently stopping to conserve his voice while explaining, “I’m saving my voice for the show,” yet still demonstrating dance moves with phenomenal precision.
- In a darkly prophetic moment, Jackson insisted on hiring Dr. Conrad Murray for 24/7 medical assistance, declaring on camera that his body was “the machine that fuels this entire business”—the same doctor who would later administer the fatal dose of propofol.
More Highlights from the Doc
- During rehearsals, Jackson meticulously directed every aspect of the “toaster” mechanism designed to launch him onto the stage—even specifying the exact temperature of the pyrotechnics, saying “It has to sizzle!” while demonstrating with his hands and sound effects.
- Jackson emerges from a giant robotic spider during the reimagined “Thriller” sequence, blending live performance with 3D visuals in a theatrical concept that would have revolutionized concert experiences.
- Throughout rehearsals, Jackson frequently sucks on lollipops while evaluating his dancers’ performances, creating an odd juxtaposition between his childlike habits and his precise artistic direction.
- During the “Smooth Criminal” sequence, Jackson was digitally inserted into classic film noir scenes with Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart, showcasing the ambitious multimedia aspects planned for the concerts.
- Jackson playfully shouts “Weeeee!” while riding a giant cherry picker across the stage during “Beat It,” revealing the joyful side of a performer often depicted as troubled or eccentric.
Cameos
- Orianthi Panagaris (playing above) appears as the lead guitarist throughout the film, performing solos during “Beat It” and “Black or White.” The Australian guitarist was personally selected by Michael Jackson after he saw her performing with Carrie Underwood at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
- Kenny Ortega appears frequently in his dual role as the director of both the concert tour and the documentary. In several scenes, he’s shown collaborating closely with Jackson on creative decisions while managing the massive production team.
- Travis Payne, Jackson’s longtime choreographer, works with Michael throughout the rehearsals, helping to translate Jackson’s spontaneous creative ideas into choreographed routines for the backup dancers. Payne had previously worked with Jackson on his HIStory and Dangerous tours.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Jackson personally auditioned all 11 dancers from a pool of over 500 applicants (from countries such as Canada, Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Australia to Los Angeles. MJ insisted on dancers who could “feel the music” rather than just execute choreography. After a rigorous multi-day audition process, the pool was narrowed down to about 200–300 finalists, from which only 11 dancers were ultimately selected to join the show
Wrap Up
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or musical skeptic, “This is It” reveals the undeniable genius of a performer who, even in his final days, was reinventing the boundaries of live entertainment.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc