The trouble with Michael this new sanitized version of the troubled pop star’s life, is that instead of an honest study of the life of Michael Jackson we have a version suited for families. There is no mention of the accusations of pedophilia that plagued the pop singer in his later years. Instead of exploring the tortured life of a genius the film focuses on his creative genius, which no one ever doubted.
In a stunning performance that is miraculous Jaffar Jackson, Michael’s real life nephew is spectacular as Jackson. He is astonishing as the King of Pop capturing the gentle qualities and the show business steel very few people ever saw, but best of all he captures the talent of Jackson, from the dancing to the singing to the choreographer. To be clear, it is an amazing performance from the nephew of the greatest performer in pop history. Oh that the filmmakers had possessed the courage to tell the whole story and show us the deeply flawed man that was Michael. But then we must question could Jackson have the acting stones to portray the flawed Michael? Likely not, so this sanitized, celebration of Michael Jackson is the best type of film to make. Another may come along one day portraying the events later in Jackson’s life that had him dragged to court and accused of Pedophilia.
The filled houses are loving it, cheering madly as we relive Billy Jean at the Motown Celebration and the video Thriller, which changed everything about evolving music videos. With so many recent musical star biopics this one sits far down on the list but the performance of Jackson is first rate standing alongside Austin Butlerin Elvis (2022) and Timothee Chalamet in A Complete Unknown (2024), both Oscar nominated for Best Actor. A good part of the film focuses on father Joe Jackson’s (Colman Domingo) training the boys to be a musical group. On the shoulders of Michael, the youngest and most talented The Jackson Five are born. As he moves into his teen years Michael often feels stifled, longing to be a solo act, breaking free of his brothers. Under the strict often abusive watch of his father Jo Jackson (Colman Domingo) he grows into a massively talented singer, dance and songwriter. And of course he does break free and becomes the biggest pop star on the planet. Bruce Springsteen may be more meaningful, his music poetic but no one could electrify the crowd like Michael. His famous appearance at the Motown 25th Anniversary Special stunning the crowd of Motown legends and is recreated here and won the singer an Emmy Award. His videos cemented the music video world as an extension of the record business.
Grammy’s rained down on the singer, it seemed every year he was on the stage accepting something. His video Black and White was so anticipated, night time prime time shut down to premiere the new work. Jackson’s life was all about his music, he lived for it and it showed when he performed. Was any other dancer so confident, so precise in their movements? None that I know.
Jafaar Jackson is astounding in his recreation of his Uncle. The energy is perfect, dance steps flawlessly recreated, the voice spot on, those movements superb, it is as if we were watching Michael Jackson again.
But this is only part of the story, the chose to make this a celebration of Jackson’s glorious talent. The actor captures that talent, the absolute joy that went into it, and Jackson’s steely drive to be the best no one ever saw, except the executives at the record offices. There is nothing about the allegations of child abuse that made hit later years so tortured. That might have given the actor something darker, more challenging to play, but this is not that kind of film.
Beautifully shot, edited and performed audience are standing and applauding the genius that was Michael. He is sorely missed.
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