Micheal – REVIEW

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Michael – Rock with you?

The world learned about Michael Jackson’s death on BBC Radio 4 at 6:00 AM GMT on June 26, 2009, and just four minutes later, the first joke about it appeared via text message. His status as a global pop icon meant a biographical film was bound to happen, and that film, ‘Michael,’ delivers on that expectation. The movie immediately establishes which Michael Jackson it’s about – even before it begins – with his signature squeals of ‘Eee-hee!’ and ‘Ow!’

Beginning in 1966, the singer performed with his brothers, guided by their demanding father, Joseph, who saw them more as a means to escape his own financial struggles than as beloved children. The story then follows the Jackson 5’s climb to fame, highlighting how the music industry quickly identified Michael as the group’s true star and the one destined for a successful solo career.

Michael – wanna be starting something?

The film quickly became popular around the world, marking the start of a career filled with both incredible achievements and some public controversies. It’s widely known that the film was made with the support of the singer’s family, and without their permission, access to his extensive and amazing music catalog would likely have been denied, resulting in an unforgettable soundtrack.

Jaafar Jackson delivers a stunning performance as Michael, and as Michael’s nephew, he brought a unique and deep understanding to the role, perfectly capturing the voice and dance moves. Colman Domingo is equally impressive as Michael’s demanding and self-centered father, who prioritized profit and his own image over his son’s well-being. The remaining cast members largely play smaller, less noticeable roles, and notably, Janet Jackson has very little screen time.

The screenplay is by John Logan, the Oscar-nominated writer of films like Gladiator and Skyfall, but the film feels surprisingly safe and conventional when portraying the singer’s life. While it doesn’t ignore his difficult upbringing—including his father’s strictness—and touches on key moments in Michael Jackson’s career, such as the Thriller album and iconic music video (where a young Jackson foreshadows his later claim, ‘I’m not like other guys’), the film feels somewhat restrained. It briefly covers his first moonwalk, his surgeries (and hints at his skin condition), and the Pepsi commercial accident which may have contributed to his later struggles with pain medication and, ultimately, his death.

Bad or a Thriller?

The film deliberately avoids exploring the more difficult aspects of Michael Jackson’s life, ending around the time of his ‘Bad’ tour. This choice highlights the filmmakers’ unwillingness to delve into the controversies that followed. The serious allegations made against him later in life are completely ignored, resulting in a rather sudden ending to a two-hour film that quickly covers his life up to that point. The film concludes with a message that ‘the story continues,’ but given what’s been shown, it seems unlikely a continuation covering his later, more problematic years would be made, especially with the family’s cooperation – a situation that is perhaps understandable. It’s a shame, though, as his life was full of material that would likely require a second film to cover adequately, potentially following the narrative arc suggested by his album titles: ‘Off the Wall,’ ‘Thriller,’ ‘Bad,’ and ‘Dangerous’.

Some of the song’s lyrics reflect moments from the singer’s life. For example, when he sings ‘Got me working day & night!’, he seems to be referencing the demanding Victory tour his father organized. The song also ends with the thought-provoking question, ‘Who’s Bad?’, which leaves room for listeners to draw their own conclusions.

Blood on the dance floor?

Michael Jackson was an incredibly talented performer, and this film focuses more on celebrating his achievements and overcoming challenges than exposing any flaws. For his many fans, that will likely be perfectly satisfying.

Here’s the Michael trailer….

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2026-04-21 16:24