About the This Is It DVD and Blu-ray
Starting January 26, the This Is It film DVD will be released for sale across the United States, and to mark the occasion, celebrations will be held at midnight on January 25 in 20 different cities across America. The film’s release date in Europe will be February 22.
Michael was preparing to host a series of concerts in London titled “This Is IT,” which can be interpreted as “This is it” or “This is the end.” The title of these concerts carries a bitter irony. Kenny Ortega explains that Michael had been thinking about returning to the stage for a long time, but he wanted to do it in a special way. One night, he called him and said, “Kenny, I’ve got it—this is it.”
And this was the concert tour that, although it didn’t happen the way everyone expected due to Michael’s death, became a film for Kenny Ortega to show the audience what was supposed to be performed—making them long for it—and also to pay tribute to Michael, showcasing his art, genius, and creativity as a true all-around artist.
On the other hand, the translation of “This is the end” also points to the fact that Michael was saying goodbye to the stage with these concerts, and in reality, this tour was his final tour.
Now the film of Michael’s rehearsals and the preparation for the concerts—previously a record-breaking hit in theaters—will be released on DVD to achieve another success for Michael. The film describes the concert that, if Michael had performed it, would have marked his magnificent return to live stage performance.
But what sections does this DVD include?
On the Blu-ray disc, more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased footage from Michael’s performances and rehearsals for the This Is It concerts are included, along with two documentaries about the making and production of this film, new videos including the full Smooth Criminal and Thriller 3D videos, as well as movieIQ technology—previously described.
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Single DVD package:
Staging the Return: Adventure Begins
Preparing the return: the adventure begins
This chapter of the DVD shows what Michael had prepared in his mind for a unique and original comeback.
Staging the Return: Beyond the Show
Preparing the return: beyond the show
Kenny Ortega, the director, and the concert team talk about Michael’s latest stage rehearsals and their goal in making this film.
The Gloved One
The Gloved One
Zaldy, the concert costume designer, presents the new outfits he prepared for Michael to wear during the concert performances.
Memories of Michael
Memories of Michael:
Kenny Ortega and members of the concert team talk about their memories of working with Michael.
Auditions: Searching for the World’s Best Dancers
Auditions: searching for the world’s best dancers
A look at the costly process of holding auditions, which began with more than 5,000 participants and ended with the selection of 11 people.
The Unfinished Rehearsals
Unfinished rehearsals
Kenny Ortega and the production designer, Michael Kattn, talk about the incredible ideas that were in Michael’s mind for the concerts but were never carried out.
Theatrical Trailer
A spectacular trailer
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Double DVD package:
First DVD disc:
Includes everything mentioned above.
Second DVD disc:
Meeting the dancers: getting to know the 11 dancers selected for the concerts.
Meeting the music group: getting to know the musicians selected to perform Michael’s songs on stage.
Meeting the vocalists: getting to know the singers selected to sing along with Michael on stage.
------------------------------------
Blu-ray package
In addition to the contents of the two DVD discs introduced above, it includes:
Dancing Machine
Dancing Machine
Choreographer Travis Payne talks about his experience working with the legendary dancer Michael Jackson during the This Is It concerts.
Photo Gallery
Photo gallery: includes 75 images from Michael’s rehearsals
New Smooth Criminal video
The full Smooth Criminal video that was supposed to be shown on stage before the performance of this song.
Smooth Criminal behind the scenes
A look at how this new and innovative video was made.
3D and scary Thriller video
This video was supposed to be shown on stage during the performance of “Thriller.”
movieIQ technology
By enabling an online connection, the Blu-ray viewer is brought into a world of information related to this film. The viewer can also create an online list of their favorite songs.
Source: eMJey / Sony Pictures Entertainment
On the Blu-ray disc, more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased footage from Michael’s performances and rehearsals for the This Is It concerts are included, along with two documentaries about the making and production of this film, new videos including the full Smooth Criminal and Thriller 3D videos, as well as movieIQ technology—previously described.
------------------------------------
Single DVD package:
Staging the Return: Adventure Begins
Preparing the return: the adventure begins
This chapter of the DVD shows what Michael had prepared in his mind for a unique and original comeback.
Staging the Return: Beyond the Show
Preparing the return: beyond the show
Kenny Ortega, the director, and the concert team talk about Michael’s latest stage rehearsals and their goal in making this film.
The Gloved One
The Gloved One
Zaldy, the concert costume designer, presents the new outfits he prepared for Michael to wear during the concert performances.
Memories of Michael
Memories of Michael:
Kenny Ortega and members of the concert team talk about their memories of working with Michael.
Auditions: Searching for the World’s Best Dancers
Auditions: searching for the world’s best dancers
A look at the costly process of holding auditions, which began with more than 5,000 participants and ended with the selection of 11 people.
The Unfinished Rehearsals
Unfinished rehearsals
Kenny Ortega and the production designer, Michael Kattn, talk about the incredible ideas that were in Michael’s mind for the concerts but were never carried out.
Theatrical Trailer
A spectacular trailer
------------------------------------
Double DVD package:
First DVD disc:
Includes everything mentioned above.
Second DVD disc:
Meeting the dancers: getting to know the 11 dancers selected for the concerts.
Meeting the music group: getting to know the musicians selected to perform Michael’s songs on stage.
Meeting the vocalists: getting to know the singers selected to sing along with Michael on stage.
------------------------------------
Blu-ray package
In addition to the contents of the two DVD discs introduced above, it includes:
Dancing Machine
Dancing Machine
Choreographer Travis Payne talks about his experience working with the legendary dancer Michael Jackson during the This Is It concerts.
Photo Gallery
Photo gallery: includes 75 images from Michael’s rehearsals
New Smooth Criminal video
The full Smooth Criminal video that was supposed to be shown on stage before the performance of this song.
Smooth Criminal behind the scenes
A look at how this new and innovative video was made.
3D and scary Thriller video
This video was supposed to be shown on stage during the performance of “Thriller.”
movieIQ technology
By enabling an online connection, the Blu-ray viewer is brought into a world of information related to this film. The viewer can also create an online list of their favorite songs.
Source: eMJey / Sony Pictures Entertainment