Michael Jackson is a figure that had a long and storied career filled with highs and lows but this movie doesn’t go near the many controversies. While it apparently was going to, legal issues from the settlement in 1993 prevented it. The movie mainly focuses on Michael trying to break free of his father and have his own budding career outside of the family band The Jackson 5.
In the role of Michael is his nephew Jaafar Jackson who is certainly a highlight in his big screen debut while playing his father Joe Jackson big screen veteran Colman Domingo who has an amazing turn in the role.
The film is an entertaining one but much like the producers, whose were behind Bohemian Rhapsody, it is a heavily sanitized and sensationalized film that goes past big moments and milestones that helped shaped the career of Michael. I find movies about massive figures like Michael Jackson, should either be a series or focus on a small window. So for Michael it could be the making of Thriller, or purely on the Victory Tour and the events leading up to the final show in Los Angelas.
If you are expecting a gritty biopic of the King of Pop this isn’t the movie for you. If you enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody you will like this one. While I found some scenes amazing and the acting of Jaafar and Colman top notch it doesn’t do it for me personally.
Final Grade: 6.5/10
Check out the trailer below:
– Everett
