You are not alone, Michael really is a fantastic film regardless of what the critics might say, and I’m excited to talk more about it.
If you are a Michael Jackson fan, then I think it’s human nature to love this movie. It is a love song to Michael, his music, and his stories. I know the movie shies away from most of the uncomfortable stuff in the artist’s life, and it could’ve added more depth to the narrative. I think the filmmakers were more focused on the music, but in this case, that’s not a bad thing.
Michael is a biopic made for the fans of Michael Jackson. It’s a love song to his music and mostly his stage persona. Jaafar Jackson does an amazing job of bringing this to the screen, while also shining when the story covers the more heartbreaking parts. I wish they covered more of Jackson’s childhood, because there is so much there to uncover.
The movie might play out as a greatest hits playlist, but there’s so much emotion in all of the songs. It’s as if the movie kept asking, “Can You Feel It?” I think the emotional moments the movie does tackle, it does in an effective way. It shows you Michael’s relationship with his father and mother and how each of those shaped who he became.
I couldn’t help but laugh and cry with him in those moments. I can’t help it; the movie was just that good. I think that has a lot to do with the acting. Juliano Krue Valdi stars as young Michael, and he is a showstopper. Apart from the two Michael actors, I think Colman Domingo, who stars as Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson, is phenomenal. The rest of the cast are also wonderful, but do not feature as much.
I think the production design was amazing as well. The film really brought some of Michael’s most iconic moments back to life in the most amazing ways. Seeing Michael do the moonwalk for the first time was done shot for shot, which is exactly what makes this movie so special. It brought the most awesome moments to the big screen.
What can I say about the music, except that I was singing along for most of the movie? I even tried to do the Thriller dance. Billie Jean is one of my favourite songs, and the way it’s used in the movie and its marketing made me want to listen to it on repeat. Michael Jackson was a musical genius and honestly, I think his music can still heal the world.
The movie leaves a lot of Michael’s stories untold, since it ends in 1988, but there’s still so much of his history to unpack. There’s no denying he is an icon, and his story isn’t just black or white, and I guess that’s the most important thing missing from this movie. I hope we get a second film, even if it’ll focus on the more dangerous parts of his life.
My parents made us listen to Michael’s music since birth, so I have a real connection to his music, and that’s probably why I’m a little biased when it comes to this movie. I think this film was made for the fans, and it succeeds in doing that. It is a love letter to the King of Pop.
I think the critics just wanna be startin’ somethin’ by tearing the movie apart. It’s not a perfect film, but I would love to watch it again. So tell me, will you be there with me at the cinema? Take your family, take your girlfriend, and let them go rock with you in the movie theatre.
Get your tickets from CineCentre!
