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Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” On Pace to Break Movie Records

10/29/09, 9:11 am EST


Michael Jackson’s This Is It began its two-week theatrical run by grossing $2.2 million from its special advanced screenings alone, putting the doc on pace for the highest-grossing opening week for a concert film ever. The current record holder is Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which made $31 million its opening weekend in 2008, Variety reports. This Is It grossed an additional $2.2 million by midday Wednesday, and early foreign estimates predict the film is doing just as well overseas.

Look back at Jackson’s life and career, in photos.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Sony bought the hundreds of hours of footage and distribution rights of This Is It for $60 million from AEG Live, the concert promoter staging Jackson’s run of 50 concerts at London’s O2 Arena. Unlike most films that are in production for the better part of a year, This Is It only had a turnaround of three months from when the footage was purchased to when it was released, but by all accounts so far, including Elizabeth Taylor’s, This Is It is a success. The film’s soundtrack is also poised to top the charts next week.

Rolling Stone reported from an advance screening in New York that “This Is It is proof that Jackson did still have it: the magical voice, the gravity-defying moves (most of them), the clear-headed artistic vision of one of the greatest artists of our time.” Audiences were packed with fans paying tribute to Jackson — some came to the theater in bejeweled gloves, others did the “Thriller” dance in the theater lobby.

As a testament of Jackson’s worldwide appeal, when the film premiered in Los Angeles at 6 p.m. PST Tuesday, This Is It was unveiled simultaneously around the world, so many sold-out theaters in Europe were actually premiering the film at 2 a.m. or later.

Related Stories:

Michael Jackson’s Final Dreams Come to Life as “This Is It” Film Premieres
Michael Jackson Is “Genius” In “This Is It” Tweets Elizabeth Taylor
Report: Columbia Pictures Scores Jackson Rehearsal Footage


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Comments

lady everest | 10/29/2009, 9:48 am EST

michael jacksons this is it shows what a visionary he was full of enthusiasm,brilliance and hyper energetic he would have taken london and the world by storm,if nly he could have waited to bow out.

kop | 10/29/2009, 10:46 am EST

viva michael joseph jackson!!!!
reviews suck.. i’mma just watch it and get blown away…

Latera | 10/29/2009, 11:30 am EST

MJ will always be King of Pop. The legacy lives on!

Anonymous | 10/29/2009, 11:35 am EST

i hope the movie does well, but i think sonny was stupid to compare it with films like transformers and harry potter, because this is more a documentary and this genre is not very popular and also there are many people who has a negative opinion on mj based on what the manipulative media reported, especially the americans.i think it will do better overseas when people appreciate mj more.

Anonymous | 10/29/2009, 12:51 pm EST

Ehh the movie sucked……The Last Waltz remains top concert film

Fans' Thisisit | 10/29/2009, 1:13 pm EST

MJ had his fans in mind from the start, and he always kept them in mind all the way through.

Kenny Ortega did a terrific job for the movie in keeping in mind the same audience.

Fans certainly appreciate Michael’s and Kenny’s consideration.

Anything that tries to please everyone will fail because there will always be naysayers.

Susanne | 10/29/2009, 1:16 pm EST

The movie is wonderful. I truly enjoyed ever minute of it. My favorite moment was when Michael did “Billie Jean”. That man never missed a beat. Love you MJ forever.

Jocelyn | 10/29/2009, 1:58 pm EST

michael you are even more popular then ever Rest In Peace king of pop

jovan | 10/29/2009, 2:13 pm EST

reply to anonymous : “Ehh the movie sucked……The Last Waltz remains top concert film”

Well, the critics loved it! and You? you’re just a pathetic NOBODY!

Me. | 10/29/2009, 2:15 pm EST

I’m not seeing This Is It until this evening…

… I don’t expect it to be the best concert (or non-concert) film ever made, but I doubt it will ’suck’, as anonymous claims.

Valerie | 10/29/2009, 3:10 pm EST

I can’t say I’m suprised by these awesome reviews. I think this film is a fantastic way for the fans to honor MJ’s legacy as the world’s greatest performer.

We should ALL buy tickets — let’s break some records! And make MJ proud.

little boy | 10/29/2009, 3:58 pm EST

I can’t wait to get blown …away by MJ

Girl with a white glove | 10/29/2009, 5:15 pm EST

Just came from This is it -movie in FINLAND, whole audience was sitting and clapping while there was nothing in the screen anymore but black, we felt unity and emptyness… something beautiful is gone from this world and for a while we all were a part of it… and didn´t want to go home..

I miss you.

So thank you for this film.

I think that although Michael as a perfectionist would have performed with more passion if he had known about this film. But anyway I think he would be happy if he had a glimpse of what we feel inside today. I go to sleep and smile despite the fact that you are gone too soon.

ThoughtYouKnew | 10/29/2009, 5:42 pm EST

Best movie ever! Any movie that can have you holding your breath with anticipation and not fear is a GREAT movie. 50 year old Jackson brings you into his world for two hours. I tapped my foot for 2 hours. For 2 hours, I forgot he had died. RIP little brother!

SoCalGal | 10/29/2009, 5:55 pm EST

We have another “little boy” who can’t think for himself and got suckered by mainstream media into believing lies about Michael Jackson. What a maroon! Grow up, little boy.

Kristen Hardy | 10/29/2009, 6:35 pm EST

i saw this is it and thought it was amazing. best movie ever

From Sacto | 10/29/2009, 6:43 pm EST

I saw it Tuesday night and will be going again with my husband on Sunday. Can’t wait to see it again. It’s a treat. Sadly, it left me wanting more. I also wish they had made it longer because some of the songs could have used more “face time”.

Anonymous | 10/29/2009, 7:59 pm EST

Jovan: If your replying to someone calling them a pathetic nobody your no better than the original poster themselves.

mddiva | 10/29/2009, 8:13 pm EST

The Movie was great but too short. I was wanting more at the end. Everyone should see it. You will see MJ like never before. He was skinny but he was just as skinny in the “Beat It” video. I think he looked and moved great. RIP MJ!!!!!

Anonymous | 10/29/2009, 8:47 pm EST

Long Live The King.
~ Queen of Nightlife

MJ forever | 10/29/2009, 11:05 pm EST

R.I.P. to the greatest entertainer the world has ever known. MJ! I can’t wait to see this film. It is an event. MJ is a legend. It saddens me everyday when I think he is no longer here with us.

Linda | 10/30/2009, 12:40 am EST

I saw the movie on opening day. It was absolutely amazing!! MJ prove he still had it, he didn’t miss a beat. It was a concert in itself and I think everybody should see it. It makes you have a new respect for MJ. RIP Michael, we will forever love you!!

Steven Millan | 10/30/2009, 1:28 am EST

I’m not an MJ fan,but had he lived to do both that London concert and his would-be Vegas show(which THIS IS IT somewhat resembles)it definitely would have been MJ’s Elvis-style comeback(ala Elvis’ 1968 TV concert).

Weegie | 10/30/2009, 2:25 am EST

You f*cking rubes……

Jayesh B. Parmar | 10/30/2009, 2:37 am EST

MJ was a true genius and that’ why he indulged in some weird things. though accused of. He will live on in our mind as the rarest person like mahatma Gandhi

R.E. | 10/30/2009, 2:38 am EST

Neither a concert film nor a documentary but a ghoulish “event” offered just in time for Halloween, “This is It” is sadly — and reprehensively, if you ask me — the movie equivalent to the National Enquirer’s infamous post-mortem shot of Elvis Presley.

Cynically billed as a tribute to Michael Jackson and a gift to his fans, this much-hyped rip-off resurrects the dying former King of Pop in a likely successful bid by the promoters of his abortive final concert tour, his relatives and his longtime enablers at Sony to cash in on Jackson’s post-mortem surge in popularity.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
In “This Is It,” Michael Jackson is an off-key, sickly, incoherent ghoulish mess.

see more videos “This Is It” was hastily cobbled together from often badly photographed and recorded rehearsal footage never intended to be shown to an audience, hokey backstage scenes that were, and elaborate 3-D sequences that were shot for use in the concerts (and are shown here in 2-D).

Amid a considerable amount of filler, we have the painful sight and sound of Jackson days before his death of a drug overdose. He looks alarmingly frail, his impassive face appearing older than his 50 years. His once glorious voice, reduced to a hoarse whisper — when he speaks, there are often subtitles — frequently fails to hit notes, much less hold them.

uwais | 10/30/2009, 4:25 am EST

i love mj this is the best movie have i see

Anonymous | 10/30/2009, 4:26 am EST

MJ WE ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND I HOPE YOU WAS A MUSLIM

K | 10/30/2009, 6:05 am EST

This it it was an AWESOME movie! I’ve seen a lot of movies and this one was definitely one of the best.

Toby Tyler | 10/30/2009, 8:49 am EST

Where was Bubbles???

Vic De Zen | 10/30/2009, 1:12 pm EST

No surprise it’s on course to break records. rightly so.

Delvin | 10/30/2009, 1:28 pm EST

R.E. wrote: “This is It” is sadly — and reprehensively, if you ask me — the movie equivalent to the National Enquirer’s infamous post-mortem shot of Elvis Presley.

That’s a bit extreme, R.E. I agree, there’s plenty of cynicism involved in putting together a movie like this … and calling the film “a gift to his fans” is hypocritical. (”What d’ya mean, $8 for the ticket? I thought it was a gift!”) But at least MJ wasn’t laid out on the slab yet when the cameras were rolling.

Anyway, for those who think this film is exploitative, or is just plain going to stink, there’s a simple solution: Don’t go see it.

The Guns of Brixton | 10/30/2009, 5:18 pm EST

Highest Grossing Concert Film? Like that’s a legitmate record? Nobody goes to see concert movies, as illustrated by this bullshit record. The fact is, in the grand scheme of things, this flick aint going to make that much. And, once the retards are done seeing it by Saturday, it’s just going to fade away. Hey, here’s a record it can break: Highest grossing movie about a drugged out, transvestite, pedophile freak of all time!

Dawit Bezabeh | 10/30/2009, 11:03 pm EST

This is it is one of the best shows you can found today. let alone being in theaters. The fact is that mj said in the show that he should not be singing and he is saving himself for the real concert. Even in that state of mind and little effort he is putting, he put a spectacular show both sound wise and movement wise. He was doing a stretching into bringing the performance to its perfect state. If this rehersals went very close to the date of the beginning of the concert, you would have seen magnificent show. However, for a beginning and mid rehersal, this is a perfect show that defies many concerts that are perfected by many artists. You will not be disappointed go and see it not just for entertainment, but to be energized. Once you have done that you will want to see it again. I have already saw it twice in two consecutive days; I will see it again.

jan | 10/31/2009, 12:12 am EST

You are out of your mind, people The guns of brixton. Shut yourselves.

Jay z & the lost boys. | 10/31/2009, 11:18 am EST

ME AND MY WIFE WHEN TO SEE IT MICHAEL IS SIMPLT THE KING. MI CASA SU CASA. WE L.O.V.E-U MEN.

Lee phamilly | 10/31/2009, 11:24 am EST

good movie michael is the king. we l.o.v.e you. see u when you get there. from Linda L.C.

arry | 10/31/2009, 1:39 pm EST

Michael was great! When I watch TII I have to hold on tight on my chair to keep me calm, because I really wanted to scream out loud. Great movie from the greatest entertainer ever.

Anonymous | 10/31/2009, 5:30 pm EST

God, are all MJ fans illiterate? Learn how to spell. Learn correct grammar, you morons.

kevin gilbert | 10/31/2009, 9:35 pm EST

I could see this movie again and again.It was so magical that it left me in a state of depression.That this man had so much talent and no one will ever replace.I ask myself what happen to this guy.He right this world needs to be saved.Its up to us now.

anonymous | 10/31/2009, 11:46 pm EST

went to see the movie and thought it was wonderful and plan tosee it again-thought he was thin but did
not miss a step-very talented man
and we will all miss him-about all
this money people are asking for-
wasn’t someone hired to pay the
bills? didn’t he have someone
advising him about fininacal matters?

George | 11/1/2009, 12:24 am EST

MJ always will be the best, no Elvis no body will compare to this only once in life performer.
The movie is great great great….

George | 11/1/2009, 12:27 am EST

This is it MJ always will be the best, no Elvis no body will compare to this only once in life performer.

The movie is great great great….

Normina | 11/1/2009, 2:42 am EST

There are only two kinds of people around..MJ fans and LOSERS…Next time wear your glasses and hearing aids to have a better perspective…but if you lack cognition, you need a transplant!!!

Anonymous | 11/1/2009, 5:43 am EST

MJ was a special talent, will his legend withstand the test of time, it should.

jebenaw | 11/1/2009, 2:15 pm EST

@ The Guns of Brixton
Go see this film to know what the legend had in store for the world to gasp at. Go see this film to know what the epitome of showmanship is. Go see this film to know why MJ will have more followers post his demise. Go see this film to be in awe of the super natural, super talented late Michael Jackson.

Nikita | 11/2/2009, 8:09 am EST

The spectacle was mesmerizing… It showed a kind, gentle and intelligent person who was gifted with amazing talents. The world has really lost an amazing human being. He had the best of all worlds. He will always be unique!! And never forgotten.

thedetoxg | 11/2/2009, 9:57 am EST

i saw this movie and it disgusted me because i saw a has been high as a kite dancing on stage.. he was good but cmon he is rolling on some crazy acoma pills but still worth the money

Incredulized | 11/2/2009, 3:09 pm EST

Who produced this film, and who is financially benefiting from it? Please forgive me for my comments, but if this were a documentary about his life, incorporating footage from rehearsals, that was released several years down the road, I would appreciate it. But when I first heard about this particular film, I couldn’t help but think the man is dead and he’s still being exploited. I’m sure it’s an energizing film, but out of principle and respect for the dead, I won’t go.

Kyla | 11/4/2009, 4:01 am EST

It would have been a great concert had MJ lived through it. Love the film, thanks for putting it together for all of us loyal MJ fans all over the world.

Deborah Ffrench | 11/6/2009, 11:55 am EST

A respectful message to those who still doubt Michael jackson’s innocence: There is a reason why a depth charge of anger and grief has ignited in the hearts of millions of people. I do not mean to put down anyone who believes the opposite in any way, but I just have to speak up. Does anyone really believe that the millions talking about the miscarriage of justice Michael Jackson suffered would be prepared to overlook peodophilia just because he was talented? Because I certainly wouldn’t. The American people need to know they were effectively brainwashed by the relentless onslaught of media coverage and endless rotation of hearsay and outright lies that so-called journalists like Diane Dimond, Nancy Grace, Maureen Orth and the Smoking Gun online tabloid – amongst others – inflated into a storm of such unprecedented hostility it would convince Mr Jackson’s legal team that it would be better to settle than fight in court in 1993. In hindsight, that decision was a huge mistake. In the 2005 trial, the prosecution introduced the 1993 allegations into the trial evidence to bolster their case, this enabled Meseareau to revisit the circumstances of those allegations. Mesereau was able to satisfy a conservative jury that there was no validity to them whatsoever. Of course, little or no coverage was given to this fact, just as no attention was paid to the facts or motives of Evan Chandler or Janet Arviso. While it is understandable due to the sheer level of misinformation and non-investigation of Michael’s accusers: (Can anyone think of a single article apart from Mary Fischer’s ‘Was Michael Jackson Framed?’ that asked any serious questions about the credibilty of Michael’s accusers?); – that the myth of sexual deviancy still persists about Michael Jackson; it’s just not acceptable for this lie to stand any longer. It has caused so much pain to so many people and undoubtedly ended Michael’s life earlier. There is information out there, information I might add, that has more weight and substance than the nonsense that has been peddled for years by the majority, if not all the American media. I am asking, no, begging people to please go their local bookstore, order Aphrodite Jones’s book ‘The Michael Jackson Conspiracy,’ read Mary A Fischer’s article, go to the silencedtruth website and read Cory Rooney’s comments in the ‘Remember’ section, read Brian Oxman’s statements about Michael Jackson in The Huffington Post,and read the sbstantial legal criticism of Tom Sneddon’s years-long vendetta to prosecute Michael Jackson that is detailed in the archive section of the New York Times and many other publications. Millions of dollars American taxpayers money were spent by Sneddon in an attempt to find corroborating witnesses to the so-called alleged crimes of Michael Jackson;– an extraordinary amount, considering Sneddon found none. Out of the thousands of children Michael Jackson helped, two alleged molestation and one man linked both investigations. For most normal people, a huge alarm bell should surely be ringing. Janet Arviso and her son Gavin both admitted on the stand in 2005 that Janet Arviso had made her son lie to support her false claims that she had been sexually assaulted by staff in a J C Penny store, after she and her children had been caught shoplifting. Unlucky? Or just a family with a unnatural propensity for being in the wrong place at the right time? The Arviso v J.C Penny case I mentioned, by the way, can be found by googlign it and in American law journals. I could go on, my point is this; people need to be asking questions right now – that is, if they want to know the truth. The movement for Michael’s vindication is about enabling truth to come to bear on something that has needed exposing for a very long time, not about excusing serious crimes because of how well Michael Jackson sang. What was done to Michael Jackson must never be forgotten – and all those who talk about him being a child molester know not of what they speak.

The film?

Beyond beautiful.

Annette | 11/6/2009, 8:15 pm EST

I grew up listening to the Jackson 5; everytime I watched that show I remember only but a smile on my face…I enjoyed so much! Then came along Michael Jackson and never to be forgotten….yes he was judged by so many human beings but yet nobody has the right to judge anybody and nor is it a privilege, ridiculed he was, embarassed and violated from his soul he definitely was; I had a real hard time accepting and believing what was going on around Michal Jackson and the accusations…I never judged him – then comes along his movie This Is It…from the second this film started to the end I was totally awed…I did not want it to end; it seemed like it lasted 15 minutes….this man had definitely built up his system the dancing and the singing that I saw in this film really confirmed that this man had build up his health, his smile, his tone of voice was just breathtaking…this film was a souvenir for Michael and was never supposed to me his last moment of life!….yes people bash but you know they have no idea what they are saying….his soul was sincere, deep and when you see the little bit behind the scene you can tell that this man could not hurt a fly let alone a HUMAN BEING! This film? Breathtaking, and I shall never forget Michael Jacson. RIP MICHAEL

Annette | 11/6/2009, 8:21 pm EST

Forgot to mention that this concert would have been the best ever seen so far! Nobody and when I say nobody could have ever outdone this concert – What I saw…there are no words to explain the creativity, the choreography well nobody will ever come close to touching Michael Jackson ….it is the best ever … Congratulations MICHAEL you sure did it when you said THIS IS IT- nobody will ever match this concert!

Eternal Moonwalker | 11/8/2009, 12:33 pm EST

No matter what you say, who you are, or whatever your opinion of him may be, there’s one thing that you can never deny- michael jackson’s influence on people, music, and just life itself. He, to me, was the kindest and sweetest man ever and the reason why so many people feel as though they had known him for their whole lives is because of his sincerity. Michael’s music had meaning, he wrote songs for a purpose. He truly was one of the greatest artists ever to have graced a stage. I will never forget you, Michael. <3

dennis | 11/11/2009, 2:50 am EST

well I just got home from seeing the movie. I honestly thought it was “ok” at best. Michael jackson was great but I wish they would have spent more time on the movie and included some more background on him. I wasn’t impressed, but wasn’t disgusted either.

gud | 11/22/2009, 3:42 am EST

wow MJ YOU ARE THE MOST TALENTED MAN IN THE WORLD .I LOVe YOU MJ FOREVER.

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