MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
What We Thought:
Does Michael reinvent the wheel? No. Does it bring to light anything we might not have already known about Michael Jackson? Also no. Does it feel similar and portray Joe Jackson the same way as the 1990s mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream? Yes. Does it have a star making performance by Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, The King of Pop? Absolutely. It is a 100% fan service biopic that will introduce Michael Jackson’s music to a new generation and have old school fans dancing in their seats.
There’s two ways to look at Michael, one is the negative way where you criticize the film for not touching on any of his controversies. Michael Jackson was the biggest star on Earth at one point, but he also had many rumors, lawsuits, allegations and controversies follow him to his grave. The film doesn’t even hint at any of that. Again it’s fan service, here’s one of music’s biggest icons, here he is starting off with his family, here he is performing around the world, what he might have done with children (allegedly) be damned.
The other way to look at the film is as fan service. I’m a late Gen X kid. When Michael went solo and became the King of Pop was my childhood. Before the movie started a few of us were talking about his jacket and how they sold Velcro Michael Jackson wallets and all kinds of that stuff in the 1980s. Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It were all MTV mainstays in my youth. I lived the time period and the film brings back those memories and reminds you of just how talented the man was. Again, controversies be damned.
If you watch the film in that perspective, it’s fun. The dude with a monkey and single glove was a hit making machine. White, black, Spanish, Asian, it didn’t matter, Michael’s music was everywhere. He toured with a live band playing real instruments. He was a musician and showman and Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real life nephew) captures that energy effortlessly. Even if you don’t realize it, while watching the film as a certain generation, you know all the music. I don’t know if I ever called myself a Michael Jackson fan, but the movie makes you aware that his music was everywhere throughout my early life.
I also sat there mindblown at the fact that he did all this in a pre-internet/social media age. In today’s world it’s easy for someone to gain a following because of a viral video or clip. Michael’s moonwalk during the Motown special blew everyone’s minds back then. Imagine that happening today, there would be millions of Instagram reels and reactions to it. He would have “broke the internet”. It’s why I enjoyed the movie for what it is, it reminded me of a better time. Stars became stars because of talent, not because of the internet. You can say whatever you want about Michael Jackson as a person, but you can’t say the man wasn’t a generational talent.
Michael as a film will divide critics. Half will say it’s bad and that it didn’t have the guts to tackle the issues. Half will see it my way, that fans will love it. For me, it reminded me of my youth and the best time of the 20th century. Jaafar Jackson channels his late uncle and dominates the screen. Sure there are performances in the film that are 100% filler simply there to get fans to dance, sing and cheer. I don’t care. It’s going to make a bunch of money and maybe the sequel will get into the controversial stuff. Expect Michael Jackson’s music to skyrocket on Spotify, YouTube and other music streaming services.
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Written by: John Logan Produced by: Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Cast: Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo
The Nerds Templar 