‘Michael’ Review 

‘Michael’ is Specifically Curated for The Fans, Not Critics

Most biopics favor their subject, and ‘Michael’ is no exception. If you’re hoping to hear criticism of the acclaimed King of Pop, you won’t find it here. This film reenacts the greatest highlights of the early days in Michael Jackson’s career, and reminds viewers of the abuse and industry pushback he endured on the path to building his legendary legacy.

The Making of the King of Pop

Opening in Gary, Indiana, the film quickly highlights how Michael was a victim of psychological and physical abuse at the hands of his father, Joseph Jackson. Colman Domingo delivers a cold, commanding performance, dominating every scene he’s in. The abuse scenes are difficult to watch, not for shock value, but for their realism, with Domingo’s intensity making them feel uncomfortably authentic.

Juliano Valdi, the 12-year-old scouted from his viral Michael Jackson street performances, is tasked with channeling the star’s younger self. Juliano does a fantastic job of balancing the star’s troubled upbringing with his childlike optimism, offering comedic relief in otherwise uncomfortable moments shared with Colman Domingo’s Joseph Jackson.

The relationship Michael had with his father is sharply opposed by the bond he shared with his mother Katherine Jackson, played by Nia Long. Their connection is portrayed as warm and affectionate, often shown through quiet moments spent watching old films together. Nia does an excellent job at portraying Katherine as a solid parental figure that cares for Michael, gradually finding the courage to stand up to Joseph and challenge the cycle of his abuse. As a mother herself, it is very apparent that Nia was able to channel her own personal experience into playing the Jackson matriarch. Her performance felt genuine and nurturing, proving to be a great match for contrasting the harsher dynamic Colman Domingo portrayed with Joseph.

While the film explores his upbringing and the poor relationship he shared with his father, it largely overlooks his relationships with his siblings. Notably, Janet Jackson is never mentioned despite her prominence and collaborations with Michael, raising questions about her absence in “family” scenes. It was recently confirmed to Variety by La Toya Jackson that this came as a personal request from Janet. However, it’s hard to ignore the effect this has on the film’s biographical storytelling.

Jaafar Jackson Doesn’t Imitate Michael, He Becomes Him

Jaafar Jackson deserves all the praise and recognition for his performance. In his film debut, he effortlessly captures Michael’s voice, movement, and mannerisms. Nephew to the King of Pop, Jaafar knew he had big shoes to fill, spending two years enduring intensive training to the point of bleeding from his feet as he worked with Michael’s original choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega. Whether you believe he was handed the role or not, the work he put in for the role is undeniable.

As Marlon Jackson put it: “Thousands of people can do a Michael Jackson impression unbelievably, but the difference is they imitated Michael, and Jaafar became Michael.” Deep into the film’s final stretch, you become so immersed in the stage scenes, you almost forget you’re watching Jaafar and not archived concert footage of Michael himself.

Pacing And Storyline Leaves Much To Be Desired

Rather than following a clear narrative, the film jumps between key moments from Michael’s childhood up until his ‘Bad’ era, ending with a tease for a sequel. While the pacing remains engaging, the reliance on montages comes at the expense of deeper character development, particularly in portraying Michael’s closest relationships.

It would have been preferable to exchange the montage sequences the film offers with more insightful scenes, much like the scenes that reenact the making of Michael’s ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’ music videos. One can only imagine how much richer the film might have been if it weren’t already pushing past the two-hour mark, leaving much desire for a sequel to explore Michael’s creative process in greater depth.

The final scene brings us to the beginning of Michael’s ‘Bad’ solo breakout tour. While it is easy to be impressed by Jaafar’s flawless portrayal of his uncle’s performance style, it’s hard to ignore the scene’s lack of substance — this can be heavily blamed on the several unnecessary shots of concert-goers fainting in awe, which poorly aims to compensate for the film’s lackluster conclusion.

Ultimately, the film feels designed with the purpose of satisfying devoted fans while reinforcing Michael’s character in the process. Despite the biopic’s failure to address the challenging aspects of his career (at least in the first movie), viewers are sure to be entertained. Regardless of personal opinion, Michael Jackson’s cultural impact is undeniable, and the film only reinforces the timeless legacy he left behind.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Lionsgate’s ‘Michael’ starring Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long and Juliano Valdi, lands in U.S. theaters on April 24th.

— Pop Base

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