7/10
Breaking the box-office record for the highest-grossing worldwide opening weekend for any biopic, Michael is the definition of a global success. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie aims to humanize the experiences of Michael Jackson by showcasing his experiences as a child in the 1960’s all the way up until his “Bad” Tour in 1987-89.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, as Michael. Jaafar bears a striking resemblance to his uncle and has a spot-on voice, encapsulating many of Jackson’s iconic mannerisms.
The movie opens with Jackson, the King of Pop, about to go on stage while fans scream his name. Quickly after the cheering fades out, the film flashes back to Gary, Indiana, in 1966. There, the story focuses on young Michael (Juliano Valdi) and his brothers Tito (Judah Edwards), Jermaine (Jayden Harville), Marlon (Jaylen Lyndon Hunter), and Jackie (Nathaniel Logan McIntyre), who grow up in an abusive household centered around their father’s dream of turning his sons into musical sensations.
Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo), Michael’s father, is the film’s main antagonist, as his physical abuse and desire to push his sons to musical stardom overshadows the well-being of his family members. Domingo excellently brings this to life, showing his character’s intense fatherly need to establish their family and allow them to escape poverty, while also revealing how getting this success leads to his abusive greed. This feeds into many complications as Michael grows up, eventually leading to his desire to leave the family band, The Jackson 5, to pursue a solo career.
Many considered Michael Jackson’s real-life obsession with animals, and specifically ‘Neverland’ from Peter Pan, rather creepy, leading to judgment of him being “friends” with children. The movie addresses this very well by showing how he felt as though he missed out on his childhood, while not dwelling on the topic. Though clearly there are still major flaws with the film’s portrayal of the Jackson family, as Janet Jackson, Michael’s famous sister, refused to sign off to be played in the film.
Despite the stunning visuals, from recording studios to concerts and the wonderful performances by the main cast, the number of inaccuracies that led multiple of Michael’s siblings—not just Janet, but Rebbie, and Randy Jackson—to also opt out makes one view the film in a different light.
Aside from the production and more of the behind the scenes controversies with his family and him, the movie, which is based on a figure who many consider the greatest pop star to ever live, manages to deliver on its musical elements. The film’s musical moments were created by blending Michael Jackson’s original recordings with live, on-set vocals from his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, and Juliano Valdi, who plays the young Michael. Both Jaafar Jackson and Valdi added remarkable vocals that are almost indistinguishable from the original recordings. Along with Michael Jackson’s once-in-a-generation vocals, he’s also incredibly famous for his iconic dancing, which Jaafar Jackson and Valdi both emulated flawlessly throughout the film.
In some cases, the movie feels like more of a concert film than a developed story, which can be seen as a positive or negative. But being able to show much of Jackson’s childhood, teen, and adult years was definitely a feat. At times, however, this large-scale approach makes the film feel disjointed and doesn’t allow for a lot of character development.
While the film only receives a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, Michael has been beloved by audiences, holding a 97% with the audience rating. The difference in ratings encapsulates the film rather accurately, even though the scores are so different. Critics seem to generally applaud films with complex stories, inspiring character growth and structure, and, truthfully, Michael lacks those qualities. However, the film is entertaining, beautifully shot, and contains a brilliant soundtrack.
Michael may not be this masterfully told story of this tragically misunderstood figure, but it does everything it should do, providing some awesome music, good acting, and a nostalgic vibe. It’s anything but “Bad.”
