Michael Jackson was as much a visual artist through movement as he was a vocalist. This featurette shifts the spotlight to the grueling audition process where over 5,000 dancers from around the globe converged on Los Angeles. Led by Travis Payne and Jackson himself, the footage captures the raw energy, desperation, and ultimate triumph of the select few chosen to share the stage with their idol. It includes raw rehearsal tapes showing Jackson refining iconic routines like "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller," adapting his legendary choreography for a new decade. The Sonic Architecture: The Musicians and Vocalists
: A sentimental featurette where the cast and crew share personal stories and their experiences working with Jackson during his final months.
For fans who wanted the most comprehensive experience, the Blu-ray release was the clear choice. It included the standard DVD features but added exclusive content that made it the definitive collector's edition. These were largely complete, high-quality presentations of the filmed segments meant to be projected during the concerts.
Jackson was digitally inserted into classic 1940s film noir clips alongside Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart.
: A featurette focused on the tour's costume design. Lead designer Zaldy walkthroughs the unique, high-fashion outfits planned for the stage. michael jacksons this is it 2009 extras 1
One of the strangest yet most beloved segments in is the costume featurette. Running 14 minutes, it follows designer Zaldy and Jackson's longtime collaborator Michael Bush.
Analyze featured in the rehearsals.
The 2009 home media releases included several key documentaries and featurettes: Staging the Return
The 2009 concert documentary gave fans a rare look at the King of Pop preparing for his big return. The movie showed his amazing talent, but the home video bonus features gave the deepest look at his final vision. Michael Jackson was as much a visual artist
: A 16-minute tribute where colleagues and crew members share personal stories and their experiences working closely with Jackson during his final months. Auditions: Searching for the World’s Best Dancers
Inside the Vault: A Deep Dive into Michael Jackson’s "This Is It" (2009) Bonus Features
Mastered versions of the hits in the same order they appear in the film .
The behind-the-scenes extras show a calmer, more focused Michael Jackson than the often-sensationalized media portrayals. We see him collaborating with choreographers like Kenny Ortega, sharing his vision for the concert's narrative. It includes raw rehearsal tapes showing Jackson refining
These are unscripted, tearful recollections.
For filmmakers, musicians, and dancers, the bonus discs are an invaluable textbook on the anatomy of stadium-level entertainment. For fans, they offer a comforting final memory of Michael Jackson doing exactly what he loved most: creating magic.
While Jackson’s physical movement was a focal point, his insistence on sonic perfection is heavily documented in the primary extra features. The Dynamic Duo: Orianthi and Michael
One of the most emotional segments focuses on the global audition process. Over 5,000 dancers arrived in Los Angeles, competing for just 11 coveted spots. The extras showcase Jackson himself reviewing the tapes, looking not just for technical precision, but for dancers who possessed "the spark."
