Parents' Guide to Michael Jackson's This Is It

Movie PG 2009 112 minutes
Michael Jackson's This Is It Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

S. Jhoanna Robledo By S. Jhoanna Robledo , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Concert film documents King of Pop's final labor of love.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Michael Jackson's This Is It Trailer

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 22 parent reviews

 

 

See all 22 parent reviews
age 8+

Based on 49 kid reviews

Kids say this movie is a heartfelt and inspiring tribute to a music legend, with many praising its family-friendly appeal despite some scenes that might be scary or suggestive for younger viewers. While fans rave about the music and dance performances, some viewers find it tends to be repetitive or slow-paced, noting that the emotional aspect can be overwhelming due to the artist's tragic story.

  • inspiring tribute
  • family-friendly appeal
  • scary scenes
  • emotional depth
  • musical performances
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 49 kid reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 22 ):
Kids say ( 49 ):

There's been much controversy about this soul-stirring film. 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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