Fans of the King of Pop will enjoy the music, concerts and nostalgic experiences of “Michael,” which follows the life of pop artist Michael Jackson from his childhood up to the tour for his 1987 album “Bad.” The film starts with the Jackson 5 and their journey to being signed by Motown Records and their rise to stardom, later covering the backstory to Michael’s solo albums “Off the Wall” and “Thriller.”
The narrative centers around the relationship between Michael (played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson) and his father, Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo). Having suffered emotional and physical abuse from his father as a child, Michael works to achieve his own career aspirations outside of his father’s desires.
“Michael” is directed by Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “Emancipation”, “The Equalizer”), and various members of the Jackson family are executive producers of the film, including Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, La Toya, Marlon and Michael’s son, Prince.
The film tells a very specific story, highlighting what the fans love about Jackson’s legacy: his music, showmanship, and philanthropy. Jackson had 13 number-one hits on the Billboard charts and won 13 Grammys. With more than 500 million records sold worldwide, he is considered the most successful entertainer of all time.
For it being his first film, Jaafar is outstanding in bringing to life Michael’s iconic music videos, performances, and dance moves. He looks, sounds and performs just like his uncle; there are moments in the film where you can barely tell the two apart. The talented cast brings heart to the film, including Domingo, Nia Long as Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson, and a young Michael played by Juliano Valdi.
For fans who grew up with Jackson’s music and followed his career over the years, there aren’t many surprises in “Michael.” That said, the film does not address the various child sexual abuse allegations against him, which explains why the film ends in 1988. A third act, which included that time of Jackson’s life, was edited out due to legal issues, though a sequel is being considered that could include such elements.
All things considered, in its two-hour runtime, “Michael” emerges as a movie for fans of the iconic artist who still love him for all the reasons he is considered the King of Pop.
Samantha Smith is a writer who serves the Archdiocese of Atlanta as a communications strategist. Connect by following her on Substack at “The Soulful Scene” and on Medium.
