Film: Michael
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, etc.
Cinematography: Dion Beebe
Music: Lior Rosner
Producers: Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Written by: John Logan
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Release Date: 23 April 2026
Michael Jackson is a world phenomenon, and anything related to him always excites fans worldwide. Even a small piece of news about him grabs attention. So, obviously, a biopic about his life is bound to draw massive interest. Despite critics’ reviews turning negative before the actual worldwide release, that has never stopped MJ’s fans from heading to theaters. Let’s see what the film offers, what works, and why certain critics didn’t quite appreciate it.
Here’s a refined and polished version of your *Story* section, keeping your narrative style but making it clear and professional:
Story:
The story begins in 1966, in the winter of Gary, when Michael Jackson is just a child. It traces his early days under the strict and demanding guidance of his father, Joseph Jackson, who works in a steel factory and trains his children on music, rigorously at home.
As the narrative progresses, it highlights the physical abuse Michael endures from his father, which creates a lasting emotional distance from a very young age. At around 10 years old, Michael gains widespread recognition with “ABC” as part of Jackson 5, marking the beginning of his rise to fame.
The film then follows his transition into adulthood, showing how he breaks free from his father’s control and the identity of the Jackson 5 to carve out his own path as a solo artist. His deep love for children and his childlike innocence are consistently portrayed throughout.
The story concludes with Michael performing “Bad” on stage in 1988, ending with the caption “His story continues,” without clearly indicating whether a sequel is planned.
Here’s a refined and polished version of your sections, keeping your tone but improving clarity and flow:
Artistes’ Performance:
Jaafar Jackson deserves strong commendation for recreating Michael Jackson on the big screen. He clearly puts in immense effort to meet the demands of the role, and his hard work pays off in several key moments.
Colman Domingo is impactful as Joseph Jackson, portraying the character as a restrained yet effective antagonist within the drama.
The rest of the cast performs well within their respective limits, supporting the narrative without overshadowing the central performance.
Technical Excellence:
The art work and recreation of dance stages, along with the 1966–1988 ambience, costumes, and makeup, deserve appreciation for their authenticity. The scenes involving animals are also convincingly executed, without giving the impression of being computer-generated.
The voice used for Michael Jackson closely resembles his original tone, adding to the film’s credibility, and the casting choices overall are fitting.
The cinematography by Dion Beebe deserves praise for capturing the original flavor of some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic songs. The original background score composed by Lior Rosner is also effective and complements the film well.
Here is your updated *Analysis* with those points smoothly added:
Analysis:
The film Michael, a biopic, is generally expected to deliver a blend of emotions, including personal struggles, love track, controversies and a medley of the artist’s biggest hits, along with a balanced perspective for a wider audience. For neutral viewers, these elements are essential. However, for fans of Michael Jackson, even a glimpse into his life, especially recreated performances on the big screen, is a rewarding experience in itself.
That said, there is very little to criticize in terms of intent or effort, except for one major issue. The film feels incomplete. It abruptly stops in 1988, even though Michael Jackson’s life and career continued until 2009.
Key aspects of his life are left unexplored. His physical transformation, particularly his battle with Vitiligo, which began on his hand and progressed over time, is not addressed in depth.
Similarly, several landmark works such as the album Dangerous and songs like Black or White, They Don’t Care About Us, Heal the World, The Girl Is Mine, and Remember the Time are missing from the narrative. This leaves a significant gap and raises an obvious question.
Is a second part planned? The film offers no clarity on this.
At the same time, the film does touch upon a few important incidents. His nose surgery is briefly shown, hinting at his changing appearance, and the accident during the Victory Tour, where he suffered burns due to a stage mishap, is also depicted well.
One of the more interesting layers in the film is Michael’s affection for unusual pet animals, ranging from a rat and a chimpanzee to a giraffe, snake, and llama, whom he considers his friends. This is presented with a subtle psychological undertone.
In one scene, his mother questions why he does not play with children his own age, and why these pets.
Michael responds that they are not pets but his friends, and that children his age see him differently, not as one of them.
This moment can be interpreted in two ways. It may reflect racial alienation, or it may stem from his early celebrity status, which distanced him from a normal childhood. The film leans toward the idea that he found more genuine and unconditional companionship in animals than in people. That's a touching and thought proviking.
The portions where he distances himself from his father, Joseph Jackson, are effectively handled and resonate well with the audience.
However, some important themes, such as MTV initially sidelining Black artists, are presented more as information rather than explored with emotional depth.
On the musical front, recreations of songs like Thriller, Beat It, Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, and Bad are executed impressively, bringing energy and nostalgia for fans.
Overall, the film cannot be called a fitting tribute. It feels like an incomplete one with an abrupt ending. Unless a sequel is announced and released, this remains only a partial portrayal. It is like being served a meal and having the plate taken away halfway through.
Bottom line: Half a meal