‘Michael’ Review – A Flawed But Electric Look At The King Of Pop

Michael – The Good

The story of Michael Jackson is fascinating, and it’s easy to see how they would make a movie out of it. From his childhood to the making of Thriller to his later career albums like Bad, and then all of the turmoil and controversy in his later life. Even his final days were littered with moments to look into for a film. The film stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson. It also features Miles Teller, Juliano Valdi, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones, among plenty of other performers taking on the Jackson legacy. The ones that really stick out are Jaafar Jackson and Colman Domingo, though. If you didn’t know the story of the Jacksons, Joseph Jackson was the patriarch, and he ruled with an iron fist.

Domingo and Jackson are two distinct sides of the film. Jaafar embodies Michael Jackson so well that the two just melded together for me. He does all the famous moves, all the vocal intricacies, and the power of the King of Pop. Domingo is monstrous as Joseph Jackson, in look and in performance. These two drive the film, and while there isn’t a straight-up antagonist, Joseph Jackson causes almost all the problems thrown at Michael during the film. Domingo brings a performance that could have verged on parody to something that feels very raw and real.

Jaafar is simply electric in his role. The rest of the cast does an admirable job in their roles; the other Jackson boys aren’t featured very much, but when they are, it plays up the sort of Michael and the rest of them dynamic.

Michael – The Bad

So here’s where the review gets a bit strange. Michael is a great-looking and feeling biopic. However, the film doesn’t really focus on the other aspects of Jackson’s life. Without certified confirmation that we’re getting a sequel, this is a sanitized look at the life of Michael Jackson from the age of 10 to the Bad World Tour. For some, that sanitized feeling will really turn them off. It’s like the storybook version of Michael’s life.

For being over 2 hours, the film really skips around Michael’s life. Huge moments are given a couple of small scenes. Also, I get it, Bubbles is part of his life, but I don’t need multiple scenes about the chimp. Moments like this take away from the ‘music video’ style of the film.

As for a critique that really matters if we get a second part or not, I was debating about including this or not, but it matters. The film is quite simply a puff piece without including most of the controversial aspects of Michael’s life. I didn’t let that change how I thought for this review, but that’s a point I’d like to include. It does suggest that Michael likes being with kids more than adults, but as of right now, we have a title card at the end of the film to suggest a sequel, and not much else.

A Thunderous Theatrical Experience

With all of those critiques aside, Michael is quite simply a thunderous theatrical experience. Hearing his music blaring over the theater speakers with a crowd is exquisite. Moments where they show the process of making an album like Thriller or the early-life moments with Michael singing at a county fair. Those are the ones that we’re going to see this movie for. There’s enough drama in the real-life aspects of Jackson’s life that we don’t need manufactured drama or comedic levity with Bubbles. The battle between father and son for control of one’s life is what’s at the center of Michael. Plus, that re-enactment of the “Thriller” music video is worth the price of admission alone.

Michael releases in theaters on April 24th, 2026.

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