The story of the famous musician Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop.
Antoine Fuqua’s “Michael” arrives with the weight of myth on its back, attempting to distill one of the most complicated and electrifying lives in pop culture history into a single film. What emerges is less a fully realized biopic and more a highlight reel of key moments in the life of pop music’s most enigmatic star.
There’s no denying the film’s greatest strength: the music. Fuqua stages Michael Jackson’s most iconic performances with undeniable flair, recreating legendary concerts. These sequences are the lifeblood of the film. Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the role of his uncle, is nothing short of uncanny. He doesn’t merely imitate Michael; he channels him. From the voice to the dance moves to the otherworldly stage presence, Jaafar delivers a performance that feels less like acting and more like resurrection.
Colman Domingo, however, cuts through the haze with a commanding performance as Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson. He fearlessly embodies the abusive and exploitative force that loomed over Michael’s early life. His exploitation of Michael’s talent and his blindness to his son’s needs are the few instances in which the film feels grounded in emotional truth. Joseph’s first question after Michael almost loses his life in the Pepsi incident is, unthinkably, “Can he perform again?” Michael finally breaking free from his father’s control and committing to his solo career feels like just comeuppance for an abusive manipulator.
Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast aren’t afforded the same depth. Characters drift in and out with little impact, existing more as placeholders than fully formed individuals. Nia Long as Michael’s mother, Katherine, is mostly there to react to Joseph’s abusiveness, and Miles Teller as John Branca is a particularly baffling inclusion. Aside from an amusing scene involving Jackson’s initial hiring of Branca and ordering him to fire his father as manager, Teller is given little else to do. It’s emblematic of the film’s broader issue: too many figures, not enough substance.
In the end, “Michael” is a film that thrives on spectacle but falters in storytelling. It captures the sound and fury of Michael Jackson’s rise but rarely the soul beneath it. Still, for fans of the music, it’s hard to deny the sheer thrill of seeing those legendary moments brought back to life. Imperfect as it is, “Michael” reminds us why the King of Pop remains unforgettable.
In Theaters Friday, April 24th
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