'Michael' Review: An Epic Conflicting Journey ❇️❇️❇️❇️🟩

If you haven’t seen the biopic film tribute to Michael Jackson yet, forget the critics and make up your own mind about it by booking your seat. This is one occasion where relying on hearsay could deprive you of some superb entertainment

Michael, which many critics have labelled “controversial”, is an epic production that defies belief at the astonishing transformation and performance of Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew. 

Yet, taken on its own merit, there is nothing controversial about this well-made film. Conflicting, yes, when one remembers the accusations against Michael, but anything negative said about the film itself is not based on professionalism or objectivity., but on a biased conflation of Jackson’s later life with his music - the actual focus of the film.

Everyone has a different perception of how they see this creative, musical mastermind. Mainstream reviews often get bogged down in the music or the controversy, but if we strip away the legend that is Michael Jackson, and focus on the ordinary man portrayed in the film, he comes across as a fearful, sad, lonely, abused prodigy, who never really grew up, and who felt more at home in the company of animals and children. These aspects were portrayed skilfully by Jaafar who, at times, looked and acted exactly like his uncle in an unnerving way. 

Critics can concentrate on the more unsavoury aspects of Michael’s actions, but he wasn't just a troubled pop star. He changed the way the world looked at Black performers, and how youngsters looked at themselves, especially the way they copied his style and dancing. That cannot be erased from his life, or from his overall impact: a fact that the film captured perfectly in the portrayal of the massive influence he had.

Tremendous Recreation

In the making of this film, its impact on the audience, and in Jaafar’s superb depiction, this tribute captured all the elements of Michael Jackson’s physicality, voice, costumes, abusive relationship with his father (played by Colman Domingo), his growing isolation, his drive to conquer the world, his warm relationship with his mother (played by Nia Long) and his unique cultural vibe that echoed through the decades. All this emerged through the smooth transition of the young brothers as the Jackson 5 (led by the talented Juliano Valdi) to the stratospheric solo career of Michael himself.

There were moments when the music and Jaafar’s dancing overwhelmed the senses so much, the whole audience was absolutely silent, absorbing and appreciating the magical display before them. At one stage, after one of his songs, my partner and I felt the need to applaud, as if it were a live show, but were suddenly reminded where we were.

Did the producers of Michael get it right? Absolutely, as far as his music and impact were concerned.

Whatever you might think of Michael Jackson, he left a huge musical legacy on which Jaafar Jackson shone an unbelievable light. If nothing else, this new actor is worth seeing for his truly magnificent performance; reminding the world that, underneath the weighted debris of Michael’s later life and struggles with his Black identity, was a creative powerhouse who is still unmatched.  Jaafar Jackson didn't just step into his uncle’s shoes; for two absorbing hours he was Michael Jackson, and at times it felt unsettling. 

This film was an amazing, conflicting experience, with a new star to watch; one who captured the heart and soul of the troubled man himself. At times it felt like watching history unfold all over again.

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Rating: ✴️✴️✴️✴️    Well worth seeing!