Poster art for "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

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Avg. Critic Score: 67 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
10 OK for kids 10+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    [An] extraordinary documentary, nothing at all like what I was expecting to see. Here is not a sick and drugged man forcing himself through grueling rehearsals, but a spirit embodied by music. Michael Jackson was something else. Read full review

  • 90
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    What this strange yet strangely beguiling film does is capture one of pop culture's great entertainers in the feverish grips of pure creativity. Read full review

  • 88
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Watching his struggle is illuminating, unnerving and unforgettable. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety |

    There's an incredible amount to enjoy here, and the star's fans will be in rapture. Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times |

    Differing greatly from the rough, casual mood of many behind-the-scenes pop docs, this one is instead of a piece with Jackson's body of work: dazzling and strange, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today |

    If This Is It doesn't miraculously restore the middle-aged Jackson to his past glory, it at least offers glimpses of his bygone greatness, and poignant suggestions of what might have been. Read full review

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    This Is It offers a raw and endearing sketch of a genius at work. Read full review

  • 60
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    The on-screen results are weird and watchable, by turns frustrating and entertaining, and predictably a little morbid. Read full review

  • 25
    Washington Post |

    For a man who so desperately wanted to show us perfection -- or at least project the illusion of it -- Jackson would never, ever want us to see this film. Read full review

  • 25
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    Those who stuck with the troubled pop icon after his universe shifted from the charts to the tabloids probably will find equal measures of inspiration and heartbreak in the documentary. For everyone else, it's a strange offering. Read full review

View more reviews for Michael Jackson's This Is It on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 10+ Concert film documents King of Pop's final labor of love.
What Parents Need to Know 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 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?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: Despite concerns from some that the movie is exploitative, when taken on its own, it's a surprisingly tender, disarming view of an artistic genius coming out of hiding. Jackson's talents shine through, as does his famously genteel demeanor. The affection, respect, and esteem that the dancers, musicians, and crew members have for him is palpable.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Much has been said of Jackson's supposed dependency on drugs to function and how frail he was near the end of his life -- and he certainly looks it here. But what comes through most in the film is his enormous talent. Also, his gentleness, which he uses to convey his ideas without a bull-in-a-china-shop attitude. The other people featured in the movie (dancers, musicians, etc.) are all enthusiastic, hard workers who feel privileged to be taking part in the concert.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: The "Thriller" segments include some potentially scary images (people dressed up like decaying corpses/zombies, actors coming out of buried graves, floaty ghosts, etc.). It's not as intense as it would have been in 3-D (which was the plan for the concert), but young kids could easily be frightened. Another segment includes images of a destroyed rainforest burning and a young girl being threatened by a large tractor-like machine.
  • sex false2 Sex: Some suggestive dancing and plenty of Jackson's signature crotch-grabbing during choreography/dance scenes. Some dancers are scantily clad in a few sequences, but it's mostly for the sake of ease of movement.
  • language false0 Language: A couple of uses of the word "booty."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

4.5

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

Dang, no "P.Y.T" or "Dirty Diana." Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

Jen Yamato

4.0

Jen Yamato Profile See Jen Yamato's Profile

The King of Pop, human again. Read full review See Dave Jen Yamato's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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