After seeing “Michael‚” I left wanting to dance like the King of Pop. Unfortunately, I am cursed with two left feet, so breaking out the moonwalk on the dance floor won’t be in my future any time soon.
Although “Michael” doesn’t attempt to dive into the allegations or controversy that impacted the artist later in his career, the film is sure to deliver for audiences looking for an entertaining cinema experience that relives Jackson’s most iconic moves and outfits.
Was the biopic shallow? Yes. Did it paint a portrait of the star’s life using mostly the good and only a fraction of the bad? Yes. But was it entertaining? Did it capture its intended message? Also yes.
As Questlove, drummer for The Roots, put it: “It’s a side of him a lot of us seemed to forget after 1984.” As someone who doesn’t remember the icon before 2007, I found this a refreshing look.
Film writer John Logan said of the movie’s focus: “And look, Michael is a complicated person, people have complicated opinions, and that’s fine. We chose to tell the uplifting story of his triumph in the movie, and that’s what we did.”
“Michael” highlights the high points of the singer’s rise to fame while skimming over the lows. The star is played by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, in his film debut. The movie largely steers clear of Jackson’s life after 1988, focusing on his humanity rather than the scandals that followed him until his death in 2009.
The little friction presented in the film is placed on the shoulders of his father, Joseph Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, who is layered in makeup and prosthetics.
While the film was visually dazzling and pays tribute to Jackson’s stunning voice and artistic talents, it may leave some die-hard fans yearning for more depth — either regarding his creative process or the allegations that impacted his career.
Filming was postponed twice and the movie required reshoots after lawyers learned of a clause in a settlement agreement between Jackson and an accuser, People reported last year.
In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old. A settlement was reached, reportedly for $25 million, which detailed that the accuser could never be mentioned or dramatized in a movie, according to People. Originally, the film had addressed these allegations, but when the clause was discovered, filmmakers had to regroup.
The film was created with the Jackson family and the star’s estate heavily involved. This included frequent discussions with siblings, and Michael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson “was on set every day” during shooting, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, spoke out against the film, saying the notes she shared on first drafts of the script were not addressed. “A big section, the film panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in the fantasy, and they’re gonna be happy with it.”
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Logan, “Michael” concludes with the words, “His story continues...” This could suggest the film may be the first biopic positioned for a sequel, potentially opening the door to the darker side of Jackson’s story.
The film includes several CGI animals, including a giraffe and Bubbles the chimpanzee, who are referenced as Jackson’s family.
“Michael” hits theaters this weekend on April 24.
Is there any violence or scariness in ‘Michael’?
“Michael” contains a brief scene of a child being hit with a belt and references to gang violence, including news footage of injuries.
Is there nudity or sexual content in ‘Michael’?
“Michael” has no nudity. As for sexual content, the film contains a handful of mildly suggestive references the Jackson brothers make.
Is there any drinking or drugs in ‘Michael’?
Characters are shown drinking and smoking throughout the film. Representations are present mostly in celebration or in business deals.
Is there profanity in ‘Michael’?
“Michael” contains mild curse words throughout the film.