Michael Movie Review

Michael will unite the world once again – Letterboxd Reviewer 

This past weekend, the Michael movie hit theaters. Following the career of pop icon Michael Jackson from 1966 through 1988, it covers the most memorable moments of his rise to fame.

Overview

Momorable moments the film includes are his rise through the Jackson 5, the filming of his iconic "Thriller" music video, his most popular early performances as a solo artist, and the Pepsi commercial accident. Along with these moments, the film also focuses on Michael’s difficult relationship with his strict and controlling father, Joe Jackson. This father-son dynamic becomes one of the biggest points in the plot, as throughout the film, he slowly escapes from his father's shackles and becomes a global sensation. 

One of the film’s strongest elements, of course, is its soundtrack. Since it covers Michael's biggest years, the movie includes some of his most recognizable songs, even from the Jackson 5. A few being "I’ll Be There," "ABC," "I Want You Back," "Bad," "Human Nature," "Billie Jean," "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough," and so on. Without the music, there is no Michael Jackson film. 

Set Backs and Part 2 Rumors

The production of Michael faced several delays before its release. Originally planned to release during the later months of 2025 it was moved to the spring of this year due to production changes, reshoots, and edits to certain sections of the film's plot. Parts of the movie have been said to be reworked late in development, especially regarding how much of Jackson’s later life would be included. Because his story ranges over such a large amount of time and contains so many important events, it was decided that the film should mainly focus on his early rise to fame and stop the timeline before the more controversial years of his career. This might change, though. At the end of the film, the screen reads “His Story Continues,” making it highly possible that there will be a second installment that discusses these later aspects of his life.

Critics And Audience Reactions

Critics and audiences have had very different reactions to the film. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned a very high score of 97% with audiences, but only a 38% with critics. Viewers have been quite happy and highly entertained by the film, some saying it is “the closest thing to a Michael Jackson concert,” praising its music and recreations of famous performances. Fans especially have highlighted Jaafar Jackson's performance as his uncle, believing he captured Michael’s voice, dancing, and stage presence with undeniable accuracy. Performances by Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson have also been praised by many audience members. 

However, critics are less impressed. Many feel that the film relies on entertainment and nostalgia rather than truly exploring the complexity of Michael's life and career. They have also noted that important events have been rushed or skipped, making the film feel incomplete and more of a cash grab rather than a true tribute.

My Thoughts

In my opinion, the film was very entertaining. There was never a second when I felt uninterested or bored, and I was surprised by how quickly it seemed to end. Jaafar Jackson did an outstanding job, in my opinion, and I can tell he spent a lot of time preparing for the role. While I enjoyed the film overall, I think the makeup was lacking and had significant room for improvement. I also wish supporting performances had been as strong as Jaafar's. The cinematography could use a little help. At times, it felt slightly corny or overly dramatic.

I just think the style of cinematography has been overused and lacks depth, giving it a predictable and almost cringeworthy feeling. From a critic's perspective, I can understand why the movie received lower ratings due to some of the aspects I have mentioned, and also the rushed pace of the movie and lack of depth. Each section or decade of the film had the same formula, where they would show a few interactions with his father, perform a famous song, and then jump to the next section. They lacked a personal connection and definitely focused on entertaining the audience with performances. 

As a fan, I personally enjoyed it despite its flaws. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Michael or just looks for an entertaining film with a great soundtrack.