Review of Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson

Antoine Fuqua’s new film ‘Michael’ is a biographical drama on the legendary singer Michael Jackson, featuring his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role. The movie focuses mainly on the pre-scandal era of Jackson’s life, highlighting his extraordinary musical talent, unmatched dancing skills, and ability to captivate audiences with hits like Billie Jean, Beat It, and Human Nature. It uses the original vocals of Michael Jackson for an authentic and exhilarating experience. The story portrays young Michael as a victim of strict and abusive training under his father Joe Jackson, played powerfully by Colman Domingo. It shows how Joe pushed the Jackson 5, with child actor Juliano Krue Valdi delivering a sweet performance as young Michael. The film presents adult Michael as an eccentric yet innocent figure who surrounds himself with children and animals to reclaim a lost childhood. Supporting roles include Berry Gordy and Quincy Jones as mentor figures. While the biopic includes some hints of Michael’s control over his image, it largely avoids deeper controversies like skin whitening, child allegations, and addiction, keeping the tone celebratory and risk-averse. Jaafar Jackson’s transformation is remarkable, making stage performances almost indistinguishable from the real Michael. The 127-minute film feels like an extended music video at times, emphasising family dynamics and reducing Jackson’s ambitions to escaping his father’s influence. It ends with a hint of a possible sequel. Overall, ‘Michael’ succeeds in reminding viewers of the singer’s genius while choosing to rise above the controversies and dirt surrounding his later life. The movie has the backing of the Jackson estate and family members, making it more of a tribute than a critical biography.