There’s a reason Michael Jackson is called the King of Pop: not only did he captivate fans worldwide with his powerhouse vocals and glorious performances, but many of his iconic moves are still replicated today. Who hasn’t tried to moonwalk or imitate his famous “antigravity lean”?
The biographical film Michael is a must-see for fans of the King of Pop, who died in 2009 at age 50. It offers a unique glimpse into the 1980s concert experience and a history lesson on this music legend.
Michael follows Jackson from the 1960s to the late 1980s. Rated IIA, the film is a family-friendly, motivating piece that documents key moments from Jackson’s life, from his early days in the Jackson 5 to signing with the famous Motown record label, and finally to the release of Thriller and Bad.
Producer Graham King secured the rights for a Michael Jackson biopic in November 2019. Following a worldwide casting search, Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, was cast as the adult Michael, with Juliano Krue Valdi playing the child version. It was the film debut for both actors.
The movie explores broader themes of family dynamics, family values, and the fine line between tough love and abuse, especially regarding Jackson’s father. It also touches on racial discrimination in the American music industry, with examples like MTV’s initial refusal to air the “Billie Jean” video, claiming that Black music didn’t fit its rock format. The video’s eventual MTV debut is portrayed as a major civil rights achievement.
Jaafar Jackson’s on-point acting and effort captured his uncle’s essence so effectively that it felt like watching a live concert in 2026.
Fans had previously noted that his voice is similar to Michael’s. To prepare for the role, Jaafar returned to the Jackson family home for two years to fully immerse himself in his uncle’s life.
It’s the perfect casting: Jaafar isn’t just related to the legendary singer, but he actually grew up in the same house and has real memories of Michael Jackson behind the public image.
The best part of the film was the faithful recreation of signature moments from Michael Jackson’s career. Director Antoine Fuqua used real objects and locations from Jackson’s life to ground the film in reality, such as his Grammys. Many of Michael’s outfits were recreated from original sketches. For close-up shots of items like his iconic rhinestone-encrusted glove, production used high-resolution scans of the original pieces. These details help the film deliver classic musical moments.
However, dedicated fans might be disappointed by how the film skims over many details of Jackson’s musical production. The story lacks a creative narrative flow and fails to explore his deep dedication to his craft, revealing very few “unknown” aspects of his life or work.
For example, it doesn’t mention his talent as a beatboxer or that he frequently used his voice as an instrument to compose and layer rhythmic demos for his songs.
Critics have accused the film of attempting to “sanitise” Jackson’s image, noting that the storyline fails to address the sensitive child sexual abuse allegations against him. However, the movie’s timeline only spans from the 1960s to 1988; the initial allegations emerged in 1993. So, it remains unclear whether the director deliberately sidestepped the controversy or plans to address the allegations in a potential sequel.
Audiences who have anticipated this movie for years may also be frustrated when the film ends just as Jackson becomes a global superstar, leaving iconic performances – such as those from his Dangerous era – completely untold.
Yet, a sequel seems possible, as the title card at the movie’s conclusion reads “His Story Continues”.
Still, the film should please fans of the late musician, offering an immersive concert experience. Even for those unfamiliar with the singer, the film would be enjoyable, as it’s a heartwarming and motivating journey into the King of Pop’s early life, chronicling his ambition and his transformative impact on the music industry, which can still be felt nearly two decades after his death.
