Sony Pictures Home Entertainment offers music lovers a backstage pass to witness the King of Pop plan and create what would have been his electrifying and triumphant return to the stage when MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and PSP this January 26, 2010. After breaking box office records around the world, MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT will dazzle on Blu-ray and DVD. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the Blu-ray and DVD release will allow fans to go beyond the theatrical experience of the film Roger Ebert called "one of the most revealing music documentaries I've seen" with the two documentaries "Staging The Return: Beyond The Show" and "Staging The Return: The Adventure Begins," in which Michael Jackson is shown developing, creating and rehearsing for his sold-out "This Is It" tour. Also available are a series of illuminating featurettes, including "The Gloved One," a costume themed featurette; "Memories of Michael," in which cast and crew pay moving tribute to the legacy of Michael Jackson; "Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers," spotlighting the search for the show's incredibly talented backup dancers; and the film's Theatrical Trailer.
Additional features exclusive to the Blu-ray include the complete and uncut versions of "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller," two all-new vignettes seen briefly in the film, along with a special "Making-of Smooth Criminal" featurette. In "Smooth Criminal," sit back and marvel as Michael Jackson seamlessly shares the screen with some of the greatest movie stars of all-time in a new black and white vignette that celebrates Michael's love of 'Old Hollywood.' Then, in the all-new "Thriller" vignette, watch in awe as Michael brings one of his most popular songs to a monstrous second life in a thrilling new video featuring a whole new cast of zombies, ghosts and ghouls igniting awareness with all-new and signature Jackson dance moves.
Exclusive to the Blu-ray edition of MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT are even more must-have bonus features Jackson fans will love, including the BD-Live™ enabled movieIQ, which lets viewers add their favorite songs from the film to an emailable "This is It" playlist. With movieIQ, viewers can also access live trivia information about the movie's cast, crew, music and production - all while watching the movie!
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT, available on Blu-ray, DVD and PSP, this January 26, 2010, at an SRP of $39.95 (BD), $28.96 (DVD) and $24.94 (PSP).
Synopsis
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT offers Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show.
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT was directed by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, Newsies). It was produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware, with John McClain and John Branca serving as executive producers. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures in association with The Michael Jackson Company and AEG Live. It has a run time of approximately 111 minutes and has been rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images.
Single Disc DVD Bonus Material
"Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins" Making-of Documentary
This in-depth documentary reveals Michael Jackson's unique, groundbreaking vision for his ambitious return to the stage, with director Kenny Ortega and the entire crew from This Is It.
"Staging the Return: Beyond the Show" Making-of Documentary
Director Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It discuss Michael Jackson's final rehearsals, and the purpose behind creating the concert film.
"The Gloved One" Costumes Featurette
Costume Designer Zaldy reveals the elaborate new costumes created for Michael Jackson to wear on the This Is It tour.
"Memories of Michael" Featurette
Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It share personal stories about working with Michael Jackson, and how they will remember their friend.
"Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers" Featurette
A look at the high-stakes audition process, which began with over 5,000 applicants and ended with the selection of 11 exceptionally talented dancers.
Theatrical Trailer
Single-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Material
"Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins" Making-of Documentary
This in-depth documentary reveals Michael Jackson's unique, groundbreaking vision for his ambitious return to the stage, with director Kenny Ortega and the entire crew from This Is It.
"Staging the Return: Beyond the Show" Making-of Documentary
Director Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It discuss Michael Jackson's final rehearsals, and the purpose behind creating the concert film.
"The Gloved One" Costumes Featurette
Costume Designer Zaldy reveals the elaborate new costumes created for Michael Jackson to wear on the This Is It tour.
"Memories of Michael" Featurette
Kenny Ortega and the crew of This Is It share personal stories about working with Michael Jackson, and how they will remember their friend.
"Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers" Featurette
A look at the high-stakes audition process, which began with over 5,000 applicants and ended with the selection of 11 exceptionally talented dancers.
Theatrical Trailer
BD Exclusive: "Smooth Criminal" Vignette
The full-length vignette starring Michael Jackson which was to be shown before the performance of "Smooth Criminal" at the This Is It concert.
BD Exclusive: "Making 'Smooth Criminal'" Featurette
An in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the groundbreaking production of the new "Smooth Criminal" film created for This Is It.
BD Exclusive: "Thriller" Vignette
The full-length vignette which was to be shown during the performance of "Thriller" at the This Is It concert.
BD Exclusive: movieIQ: connects you to access real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie! Also includes the "This Is It" interactive playlist where you can bookmark your favorite songs featured in the film and email yourself a customized playlist!
Featured Audio-Video News
Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -
The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.
Latest Blu-ray Software News
Joe Satriani Concert Film First to Feature 3D and 7.1 Surround Sound -
Joe Satriani has a new concert film coming to movie theaters as well as Blu-ray. The concert film is in 3D, but what makes it truly unique is the Dolby 7.1 surround sound mix featured in the film.
JVC Joins Blu-ray Patent Collective -
JVC Kenwood has made move to help the company play a part in the innovation and the future of Blu-ray Disc technology, by joining a Blu-ray technology patent pool know as One-Blue.
X-Men: First Class Comes to Blu-ray -
X-Men: First Class sets the stage for the other movies in the franchise with style and very well executed action, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender
Star Wars Blu-ray App Released -
Star Wars is coming to Blu-ray. In September. But to hold fans over until then, Lucasfilm has come up with an App that will give fans an advance look at the Blu-ray before it comes out.
Even Facing Doom Borders Missed The Boat on AV Software Value -
You might think that in the middle of a "store chain closing - gigantic discounts" sale that it would be easy to move something as desirable as Blu-ray discs. You might think that, but you'd be wrong, at least in the case of how Borders handled the discs in the chain's final days.
Blu-ray Replication in Jeopardy? -
Supply and demand for Blu-ray discs may be hitting a novel problem, according to Home Media Magazine. It seems that the distributors' need to manufacture discs may overwhelm their physical capacity to do so by the end of 2011.
Is Blu-ray Better Than Streaming or Pay-Per-View For Your Hard Earned Home Video Budget? -
Depressingly enough for those of us who value artistry in both our hardware and our software, market forces are often dictated by those who want things that come quickly and easily, even if these things are not as good as products that may call for a little more time and effort.
Movie Studios Are Thinking Of Asking Consumers What Blu-ray To Put Out Next -
Rather than mass-producing Blu-ray discs for every theatrical film title released, whether the film hits, gets a cult following or outright bombs, there is now some thought being given to trying to gauge how a disc will sell via presales or early commitments before copies are made.
Can The Adult Industry Continue To Call The Shots For Consumer Electronics Going Forward? -
Is it a coincidence that the Consumer Electronics Show and the AVN Show occur at the same time, in the same city, each year? There has long been an interesting link between these two industries, but it looks like the ties that bind may be loosening.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to Release Piranha 3D and Resident Evil: Afterlife on 3D Blu-ray -
Two of 2010's horror hits, the ecstatically cheesy Piranha 3D and the zombies vs. kickass heroine sequel Resident Evil: Afterlife, both of which were released theatrically in 3D, are coming to Blu-ray in that format, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.


Comment on this article
Post a Comment
You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.