REVIEW: MICHAEL
THE GIST
So it ain’t bad, not bad, you know it, you know.
When the whole world has to answer right now just to tell you once again.
It ain’t bad!
THE REVIEW
NO SPOILERS
EXPECTATIONS
I’m not a huge Michael Jackson fan but I still love his music. And given what a unique icon he was, I thought tackling a biopic would be a hard task. My hopes were still high though.
I quite unintentionally came across reviews and ratings for the film and they were not great. I heard the film had its flaws like the story was thin, or it didn’t really dig into anything. Not what you want from a biopic. The same people loved the music scenes though.
After hearing this I seriously considered not going to see it but I couldn’t help myself. I want to see this thing on the big screen and make up my own mind.
CONTEXT
In January 2023, it was announced that Antoine Fuqua would be the director. Casting began that month, with casting director Kimberly Hardin, and Michael's nephew, Jaafar, was announced to play Michael. Michael's mother and Jaafar's grandmother, Katherine Jackson, was quoted as approving of the casting, saying he "embodies" her son. Jaafar said he was "humbled and honoured" to be cast, after a two-year casting process. In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael, with Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson.
THE PLOT
The story of pop superstar Michael Jackson -- from his extraordinary early days in the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuels a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
THE EXPERIENCE
This is one of those instances where I wish I had not heard or seen any ratings or reviews beforehand as I think it influenced how I experienced the film.
Yes I could see that it was a bit thin and that it did not dig into the dirt or fully develop the characters but I think there were reasons. Most biopics don’t include a persons life from childhood, it was only in adolescence or adulthood they “made it”. But Michael was different, his story started young. Even if this is the first movie of two one would be struggling to fully establish someone's entire life from childhood, let alone Michael Jackson’s over two films.
I came away kinda agreeing with the negative reviews but also hating and disagreeing with them at the same time.
It’s a glorified/disneyfied story of Michael Jackson’s life but part of me does not disagree with that is how it should be told.
THE MEAT
The Music: Before any characters appeared or any story was known, the music started. I was sold. Just the music alone over production company logos had me in its clutches. And that is a common theme during Michael, when the music is playing it is phenomenal.
The Naysayers: I think the same people who didn’t like this are the same people who hate modern Star Wars films, in that they don’t understand that it is made for people of all ages and demographics and not specifically them. Average Jo isn’t gonna go see this and have a running commentary on the depth of the story, they are just gonna love seeing Michael Jackson on the big screen.
The Likeness: Jafaar Jackson looked more like Michael Jackson than the likes of Rami Malek looking like Freddie Mercury or Joaquin Pheonix looking like Johnny Cash. But he still looked off. And that’s the problem with biopics is that we are just seeing someone else playing someone greater than them. A musician would never pretend to be an actor.
The Biopic Trap: It does almost play into a parody of biopics, but that is just the nature of biopics these days isn’t it?!? God forbid we see something different or real.
SUMMARY
It was like a eulogy in like that out of respect for the dead, all the good things Michael did were explored, sometimes with hyperbole, and the bad things were merely touched upon.
The one thing that was crystal clear after watching Michael is that we should all go and listen to his music, because that’s where the magic always was and always will be.
Despite it’s flaws, don’t let the negative Nelly’s put you off seeing this at the cinema, that is where it needs to be seen and heard.
Shamone!
