'This Is It' Grosses $2.2 Million and Counting
When asked at a press conference in the London O2 arena whether his upcoming tour was just another among many more to come or a final farewell to the American public, Michael Jackson uttered the words, “this is it.”
Now Michael’s words stand for much more than just a final curtain call, but as one of the last statements the pop sensation would ever make. In homage to the star, Columbia Picture acquired the rights from AEG Entertainment to all the footage chronicling Jackson’s rehearsal process for roughly $60 million, turning it into a concert film entitled This Is It.
On Tuesday, the film premiered in Los Angeles at a star-studded event held at the Nokia Theater, followed by a 9 p.m. worldwide opening. It was the largest October Tuesday premiere to date, grossing a total of $2.2 million nationwide in 3,500 theaters.
The film is currently playing in over 100 countries, and reports from top Sony execs claim box office sales are equally as impressive overseas. The success of concert films and documentary-style accounts is creating buzz over the special-event theatrical marketplace, a division that has been garnering increasing support over recent years.
It’s uncertain how This Is It will fare in the long run, although Sony has expressed extremely high hopes for the film’s potential. Thus far, it seems as though they shouldn’t have much to worry about as fans and critics agree the film is a vastly entertaining and fascinatingly candid look at one of the most influential performers of all time.
This blog has been contributed by Film & TV Channel assistant Kristen Berke.
Comments
re: 'This Is It' Grosses $2.2 Million and Counting
October 30, 2009 - 1:41am — ReidRHaving finally seen the film, I can understand why it was released, as it does much to reclaim Jackson's legend. Despite the fact that he would die midway through the rehearsal process, here Jackson seems (forgive the pun) more alive than he seemed in years. He looked committed, and re-energized by the possibility of a comeback, and the footage of him planning the concerts shows a remarkably sane, and focused MJ. If the concerts had come to fruition, they might have really been the start of a major comeback. One thing that the trailers have somewhat glossed over is that THIS IS IT isn't really the concert film its being sold as. While he performs all of his hits, Jackson was understandably saving his voice for the concerts themselves, so he only half sings a lot of the songs. The only times he really goes all the way is during `Billie Jean`, after being goaded on by his dance crew, and during `Earth Song`, which is a song that seems particularly dear to his heart. THIS IS IT is worth watching even if you are not a Jackson fan. It is worth the extra cash that you might use.
Post new comment