Big Sunday shows 'This Is It' isn't performing like a concert film

"This Is It" continues to throw all the old rules about concert movies out the window.

Domestic ticket sales for the Michael Jackson movie totaled $8.3 million on Sunday, nearly $2 million more than the $6.3 million Sony Pictures projected Sunday morning and 17% more than the movie grossed on Saturday. The movie's total domestic gross is now $34.4 million, making the worldwide number $103 million.

Concert movies traditionally see ticket sales decline rapidly after they premiere, as avid fans who turn out on opening day make up most of the audience. But "This Is It" grossed more on Sunday than any day since it debuted, a sign that word-of-mouth is strong and moviegoers who initially may have been hesitant are turning out. There also may be repeat viewing, which is often the case for concert films.

If the trend continues, "This Is It" should enjoy a relatively modest decline next weekend, and what initially looked like a middling domestic performance may actually turn into a pretty good one, albeit not nearly as big as overseas. That's where Jackson is really cleaning up.

-- Ben Fritz

Photo: Michael Jackson in "This Is It." Credit: Kevin Mazur

Comments

[Dante Gutierrez]

My wife and I watched the movie, “This Is It” last night. According to the latest movie tally, this movie, which cost $60 million to make, logged in $103 million in the first 5 days that it’s been showing world-wide.

Say what you will about Michael Jackson the man, but watching Michael Jackson the singer, musician, and entertainer perform on the grand stage was a great, emotional experience.

Michael Jackson was pure genius and mesmerizing during the 110 minutes the movie lasted. Watching him re-create “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” Beat It,” “Change,” “Heal The World,” and many others of his greatest hits with new beat, new moves, and new visuals would surely make you regret that he died before his 50 musical tours got underway in London.

I encourage you to watch “This Is It” as well. But please watch it with an open mind. Leave whatever prejudice you might or might not have against Michael Jackson at the theater doors, and just concentrate on Michael Jackson as a pure singer and entertainer beyond compare. You won’t be disappointed.

Most of the moviegoers last night were clapping their hands at the end of each number; it certainly felt like we’re in the middle of the concert itself.

One other thing worth mentioning: At the end of a movie while the credits are still rolling, most of the moviegoers usually head out to the exits, right? Last night was different. Our fellow moviegoers sat and waited in their seats as the credits rolled on and Michael Jackson’s “Heal The World” was playing in the background.

If anything, you’d feel the same way my wife and I felt --- that Michael Jackson deserved to be in music history’s Hall of Fame, should there be any such award.

[Bed Head]

I felt so vindicated and extremely sad when I watched the movie. Michael has incredible passion for work. It was amazing watching a perfectionist at work. It is really such a waste to have that kind of talent cut short. It is the world's loss that we failed to appreciate MJ and his eccentricities. We do not know how genius worked. He is the closest we will ever experience it.

[sc341]

Way to go MJ! Seriously though, I saw the film and if you ever liked Michael Jackson in your life you should see this film because you see what he was really like preparing for a concert. Also, if you're still feeling bad after his untimely death and it doesn't feel quite real you should see it cause you may get some form of closure. I can say I never cry at movies and I could not hold back at the very end of this movie. I felt really bad at the end of it. I think the whole theater was crying at the end. (no one moved from their seat while the credits rolled).
I'm thinking of going to see it again, I'm disappointed that there's no IMAX theatre in my area showing this film, the nearest one is like 40 miles away. I want to see it again in an environment with better sound quality because the theater I saw it in did not have the sound turned up high enough in my opinion. I will get the DVD also and watch it at least 5 times I'm sure.

[chavie]

This paper just doesn't want to admit it. This movie is a hit. No matter of negative headlines will change that. Yesterday, it was it had a "so-so" opening to grossed 100 million. Now it's "not performing like a concert film". Whoever writes this column here needs to just own up to it: YOU GOOFED!!! The movie is outperforming any critic/pundit expectation.

[Steve]

I thought the movie was an incoherent mess. And I left thinking how overrated Michael was. He danced in slow motion & many of the other dancers were better.

[sc341]

I think Michael would have been happy that his film of his last rehearsal footage is doing so well. After the trial he went through in 2005 you could see he was not the same, it was very tough on him. I never believed that anything happened with that kid. There was even a segment on one of the entertainment shows (forget which one) after MJ's death where they went and tracked the kid down (which surprised me because the media seemed like they were on a witch hunt in 2005). Now they're on his side?? They entitled the segment; "Where are the Lost Boys of Neverland" or something to that effect. Anyway the entertainment show actually reported that the kid, now 19 y.o. told "their source" that "Michael Jackson never touched me." If that is true I wish the kid would give an interview and come clean on "ET", "20/20" or "Dateline".

[sc341]

To Evelyn: I had a crush on MJ too, he was so unusual. Still to this day can't figure it out. LOL, he's my secret crush.

[Joe Greenstein]

Michael Jackson, while talented, was at best a very odd dude with questionable boundries around children...at worst a pedophile. He essentially bought himself children. His music for the last 15 years has been, in my opinion, weak. I fail to understand the admiration he seems to get from many. He hired doctors to do wrong things to himself. He is not someone to be admired. Yes, he made some cool music, but that did not give him a pass to do whatever he wants. I am ready for all this MJ madness to fade away. Face it folks. MJ was not a cool dude.

[For All Time]

Through 'This Is It' we learn more about the kind of person MJ really was inside than the last 30 years of slanderous gossip about him. His relentless pursuit of musical perfection, his rare kind of professionalism with fellow players and his unmatched energy level will never be seen in show business ever again.

[Natalie]

'This Is It' speaks loud and clear to debunk all the myths about Michael Jackson that media/tabloid has implanted in the public's mind. He is a true genius who masters his craft, yet he is also humble and childlike. There is so much talent and goodness in this man that the world has just chose to ignore -- and now we've lost him forever. This film is a gift to all of Michael's fans and music lovers.

[Kathleen]

I have not seen it yet, its still difficult getting past it being true. MJ was so talented, just look at these prefab pop stars and corporate board room rappers that arent fit to be moonwalked on.

Yeah it isnt performing like a concert film, even in death Jackson is king. This isnt even the actual show, its the rehearsal, i doubt any performer living or dead could make 100 million on a video of their rehearsal.

its nice to see guys wearing fedora's again,

we miss you

[Ryan]

I'm really happy for michael:

http://www.polladium.com/poll.php?poll_id=375&location_id=1

[Shell517nj]

Thank you for this positive review on the movie. Some journalsit seem to lose the ability to write with professionalism or intelligence when it comes to Michael Jackson. So thank you for sticking to the facts on the MOVIE. Michael Rocks in theaters. THIS IS IT is truely an AMAZING concert movie.

[Kieran]

I found "This Is It" to be both a joyful and sad experience. I was completely blown away by the production MJ had planned, his voice--which was incredible even when he wasn't singing full out--and, of course, his dancing. I felt sad for all the hard-working artists who never got to bring this show to a live audience.

This film shows us a very human side of MJ beyond all the stupid scandal. He never acts like a prima donna. He is revealed not only to be a great artist, but a great supporter of his fellow performers.

It's great to see MJ at work. It's sad to think of all he still had left to show us but never got the chance.

[Nyam Tim Gotorongs]

It's sad Michael Jackson died with such genius talents and good in a way that he died leaving this footage (This is it). If he had died before the rehearsals, we would have had nothing to remember him for and the wacko stories would have continued with the tabloids having a field day. Now he is being lovingly missed.

[Bea2940]

I am not a die hard MJ fan. Liked his music and was saddened by his death. I never quite understood why the fans were so crazy about him until I went to see THIS IS IT.
I walked out being a fan. It was an amazing look at the GENIUS behind the music..the sheer God-given TALENT.
It was amazing!!!
What a loss to this world.