Director: Antoine Fuqua
What is Michael About?
The film Michael is a biopic about Michael Jackson that focuses on his rise from a child star in The Jackson 5 to becoming the “King of Pop.” It highlights his early career, his relationship with his father Joe Jackson, and his massive success as a solo artist during the Thriller and Bad eras, emphasizing his talent, creativity, and global fame. The film is music-driven and dramatic in tone, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, and mainly covers the 1960s through the late 1980s.
The Positives
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its incredible production quality. The sound design, choreography, and overall presentation are nothing short of amazing, creating an experience that feels larger than life. The musical performances stand out in particular. They feel like the best version of a concert you never got to see, recreated with care and precision. I enjoyed the beginning of the film, diving into the Jackson 5 and how hard their father pushed all of his kids, with Michael getting most of the attention, and some would say, abuse. This created tension from the start and really honed in on the idea that it was an all-or-nothing situation for the family. Once Michael splits from the Jackson 5 and takes on his solo career, the film showcases some of his biggest performances in the making, like the work of “Beat It” and “Thriller.” The re-creation of the Thriller music video was well executed, but I almost wish they had spent more time on this section, as it was a huge part of Michael Jackson’s legacy.
Jaafar Jackson (nephew to Michael) delivers a standout performance as Michael, channeling not just his look but his voice, movements, and demeanor in a way that feels genuinely believable. He doesn’t just imitate, he embodies the legacy, making it feel like Michael is truly back on screen.
Another highlight is Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson. His portrayal of Michael’s father is intense and layered, effectively showing the harsh and often abusive environment that shaped Michael’s early life. The scenes between Joe and Michael are among the most compelling in the film, filled with tension and powerful performances that lend real dramatic weight.
The film touches on the more humanitarian side of Michael with his love of animals, his attention to care with donating to children’s hospitals, and his overall emotion and compassion for everyone around him. Jafaar does a great job at depicting truly how lonely Michael Jackson was in his life, but I wanted them to dive even deeper into this section. Michael had to become a star at such an early age and never had a childhood, and I think continuing to really set the tone at how important part of his life was could have continued more, but you can only fill up a 2 hour movie with so much, and at the end of the day, most people want to see this film because of what Michael did on stage.
The Negatives
The film feels more like a “greatest hits” montage than a deep character study. While it delivers everything fans would want in terms of music and iconic moments, it doesn’t fully explore who Michael was as a person or why he thought the way he did. There’s a noticeable lack of the raw, introspective side of his story. Don’t walk into this film expecting a full character study of who Michael was as a person, because you won’t get that here.
The film also avoids diving into the more controversial aspects of his life. While this may be intentional given the timeline, it leaves the story feeling somewhat incomplete. That said, capturing the entirety of Michael Jackson’s life in a single film would be nearly impossible—this kind of story might ultimately be better suited for a miniseries format, but I will have to wait until the announcement of a second film to really judge that aspect fairly.
Will There Be a Michael Part 2?
Given that the film ends around 1988 during the Bad tour, it strongly suggests that there is more story left to tell. A second film seems likely, potentially focusing on the later years of Michael’s life, including the challenges, controversies, and complexities that defined his legacy beyond his peak.
Final Thoughts & Movie Stub Review
Even without telling the full story, Michael is an unforgettable viewing experience. It celebrates the music, the performances, and the cultural impact of the King of Pop while leaving room for deeper exploration in the future. For fans, it’s a powerful tribute; for others, it’s a reminder of just how influential and mysterious Michael Jackson truly was. If you walk into this movie with the expectation that it is showcasing some of Michael’s larger-than-life moments without getting too deep into the weeds of heavy storytelling, you will walk away very happy. If you walk into this film expecting storytelling to be the main focus, with the music, choreography, and production taking a back seat, I could see some disappointment. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want in your viewing experience regarding biopics of legendary superstars. For me, I can look past the slight negatives I had for the film and enjoy the direction they decided to go, and it helps that I was already a fan of the King of Pop.
