I LOVE THIS MOVIE! Its sooo good... but the pole dancing was a little off. but anyway...... This is a good movie. Buy it for your kids up to 10+ parents! MJ FOREVER!
Michael Jackson's This Is It
(2009, Rated PG, Documentary, Starring Michael Jackson)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Concert film documents King of Pop's final labor of love.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
-
Role models:
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Michael Jackson's This Is It was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Parents need to know that this hugely anticipated Michael Jackson concert movie is age-appropriate for King of Pop fans in the older tween range and up. Expect a few of Jackson's standard suggestive dance moves (there's plenty of crotch-grabbing, for instance) and some potentially scary images (especially during a new, over-the-top "Thriller" sequence), but there's no swearing, drinking, smoking, or violence. Although the film chronicles the singer's rehearsals in the weeks and months before his death, the event itself (and the surrounding media circus) isn't specifically mentioned. Directed by High School Musical's Kenny Ortega, it's a compelling and even surprising look at Jackson's final days; any hint of exploitative ghoulishness is quickly dispelled by scenes of a talented performer who was still very much on his game.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why Jackson still mesmerizes so many people after all this time. Was it his talent or the mystery of his persona? Or both?
- In the film, Jackson seems to have a different demeanor from the way he usually appeared in public. Does this show that he cultivated a certain image? How do you think his enormous fame affected his personal life? Do you consider him a role model?
- There's been some backlash connected to the movie. Is it, as some critics have said, exploitative? Or a testament to Jackson's legacy?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Michael Jackson's This Is It
What’s the Story?
Between March and June of 2009, months before he died, Michael Jackson prepped for a sold-out, 50-date run of London concerts that was to have catapulted him back onstage. MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT captures the King of Pop in rehearsals in the weeks and months leading up to his death, running through his best-loved hits (including "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Thriller," "Man in the Mirror," "Smooth Criminal," and many more), finessing his act, and filming 3-D segments to be screened onstage during his concerts. It's a study of an artist at work, honing his craft in preparation of a big day that would ultimately never come.
Is It Any Good?
There's been much controversy about This Is It: Is it a worthy homage, a tasteless exploitation, or something in between? Should it have been made at all? When the King of Pop is first glimpsed onstage in segments shot for a a then-planned behind-the-scenes documentary, he looks frail and emaciated (and it is, to be honest, disturbing). But all of that falls away within minutes as it becomes clear that Jackson, even so close to the end, still had that indefinable thing that made him gloriously, insanely famous: talent, and plenty of it. Sure, he doesn't always sing at full force (except for a song or two); and yes, his dancing isn't as energetic. Jackson alludes to his need to hold back during rehearsals and conserve himself for curtain time (as many entertainers do), which is most likely why he was only performing at 75 percent -- but what a 75 percent it is.
Audiences will never know fully the demons that haunted Jackson off stage, but what's clear from This Is It is that when he was on stage, it was all about the work. Watching him discuss the need to let a particular moment in a song "simmer" speaks volumes about his vision and how he still knew what he wanted out of his act -- and strove tirelessly to get it. Had he been able to pull the tour off, it would've been epic.
Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures, Director: Kenny Ortega
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/28/2009, DVD release: 1/26/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/28/2009, DVD release: 1/26/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images
Our Members Say
See all 48 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
PERFECTLY DONE.
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
i love this movie and michael jackson in general
-
I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Fantastic movie; just some suggestive parts.
This is it was a fantastic movie! The only sexual parts are Michael's familiar dance move, some pole dancing, and scantily clad people. 8 year olds and up will adore this movie! Older kids might cry if they are big fans of him. This movie got me on my feet and dancing and singing! Perfect family documentary that kids won't get bored in!
-
I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I thought it was an amazing tribute to an amazing artist. However there are pole dancing scenes, which may be hard to explain to little kids. Also there is some suggestive moves (crotch thrusting). One choreographer says " just move ur hips and hold ur hand there, i dont think you actually move ur thing." yeah, too much information!!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
Only for adults and older kids!
More like a documentary. The younger kids will have totally no interest in this.
-
I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
my self
recomended for my sister's an my brother
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
You must see it!
AMAZING, but you have to love mj. It has all the great songs, thriller, beat it, wanna be startin something, everything. (but it's just michael jackson, so there aren't really any jackson 5 songs.) The only slightly scary part is the thriller zombies and things like that. It makes you think Michael Jackson is still with us, still the King of Pop... rest in peace michael jackson
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
sounds cool..
i couldnt watch the movie...but im going to watch when it comes out on dvd..anyways..my cousin told me all about it..it sounds awesome...
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Missing Him More
You see Michael Jackson's talent and brilliance. If you are a fan, it can be sad to watch it. It doesn't feel like you are at a movie, it seems as if you are at one of his practices.
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Not to miss! - watching on big screen is best
This is an absolutely stunning tribute to Michael Jackson. You see why he was such a creative genius and what a tragedy it was that he left us. I believe he was at the peak of his creativity. Any doubt about his abilities are shattered by watching this film. You also see how much he cared about his work. How perfection oriented he was. How he tutored everyone. I went to a Q&A with the director and Michael was not forced into doing this concert. Michael was the one who started it all up because he felt that the world needed him again due to environmental concerns. As you watch the film, you'll see how much the film gravitates toward inspiring us all to come together to save the earth. That was to be the purpose. Unfortunately, it did not happen. The director was devastated because of his death but now says that he felt Michael was with him every step of the way in editing the footage for "This Is It" and that editing process helped him grieve. Let us all see what we can do to help heal our planet, and let MJ motivate you in this one-of-a-kind film.
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
We need more people like him in this world!!
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
Great but itt could be better
I love it but I could do without the crotch grabbing but don't get me wrong MJ is the best!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Truly Inspiring Must See Movie
It is truly amazing to see a talented person like mj to be attributed to what he derserves. People these days get famous for stupid reasons but he is the real deal. He is gone now and it is perfectly honorable that even though he couldn't go on one last tour, we could still let the whole world see that is talent was still with him until the day he died. This movie showed both his comedic and serious sides to show that he is a good person all around not to mention his performance where he brings awareness to nature and global warming. Kenny Ortega would have brought a wonderful show to the stage and him and mj together are a perfect team. Go see this movie whether you have been a fan from the start ot simply want to learn more about him beauce this mobie captures it all.
-
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
i love him
i haven't seen it yet but i love him soooo much so i bet it's good! i've seen the thriller so many times it's not scary anymore
-
I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I love Michael :]
This is a great movie It gives you a taste of how Michael really was! I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!!! FOREVER! R.I.P :]
-
I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Everyone should see this movie. It shows a slice of the man behind the myth. Great music. I saw it twice. Luve 43ver MJ!
-
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I am so sorry I misjudged Michael while he was alive. This movie opened my eyes to the kind of man Michael Jackson was, instead of what the media made him out to be.
-
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
EXCITING!!!!!
I LOVED IT THE MOVIE WAS FUNNY IN SOME PARTS SAD AND EXCITING MY FAVORITE PART WAS WHEN THEY WERE GETTING READY TO PERFORM THRILLER AND HUMAN NATURE IT WAS SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great for all respsible ages!
It was a great clean movie. Hardly any prblems for any age.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 31% | of parents say there are good role models |
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Lists for kids who love music
Best Dance Tunes for Tweens
Best Soundtracks for Ages 9-11
See more lists
