One of the greatest musicians of all time, known as the “King of Pop,” finally had his story premier on the big screen. The highly anticipated biopic of Michael Jackson’s life, “Michael,” accurately depicts his life from childhood through the mid-80s, a period that included some of the many peaks of his career.
When the movie was announced in Feb. 2022, many fans wondered who could capture and embody Michael’s spirit. For this iconic role, none other than a Jackson could play the part. His nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, was the perfect casting choice.
The story beautifully depicts his musical upbringing and the impact his family had on his life. The movie began with Michael at roughly 10 years old, during his time as a child in the “Jackson 5,” his family band, which was a Motown hit. However, the beginning of the movie did not just focus on Michael’s early music career, but on the domestic abuse he and his siblings faced by his father, which drastically shaped his life.
As he grew up, the film showed how fame had changed his world, but not his nature. Despite being a global sensation, the movie emphasized Michael’s selflessness, as he consistently donated money and visited sick fans in hospitals.
Obviously, the movie showcased many of Michael’s hit songs, such as “Thriller,” and featured the filming of its iconic video, which changed music video history forever. Additionally, the film showed the meaning behind the hit song “Beat It” and its video, which united rival gang members throughout the country.
The performance scenes throughout the movie felt incredibly accurate, with Jaafar embodying Michael so well that it felt just like him. Especially during on-stage moments, Jaafar truly nailed Michael’s signature dance moves and legendary performances.
As for the singing, the songs were a blend of Jaafar’s voice and some of Michael’s original tracks. The combination of their voices was seamless, as if Michael were singing the whole time.
Although critics did not love the movie because it did not address his controversies in the 1990s and early 2000s, fans clearly thought otherwise. “Michael” had the highest-grossing opening weekend for a biopic, making it a box-office hit. The movie showcased his rise to fame and focused solely on his work and its global impact.
Despite the movie’s abrupt ending, it concluded on a high note with his “Bad” tour in the 1980s, one of his musical peaks, and the scene felt like a real concert. The ending left room for flexibility, as the screen read “his story continues…,” leaving room for interpretation or a possible sequel.
As more of Michael’s songs played while the credits were rolling, viewers were up in their seats, dancing and appreciating the music, showing how unifying music is, which is exactly what Michael wanted his work to do.
