The new biopic Michael takes audiences through the high-octane yet emotional life of Michael Jackson, played by Jafaar Jackson. The new biopic is a moving yet faithful retelling of Michael Jackson’s path to stardom.
The movie starts with Michael Jackson’s childhood. The young Michael, played by Juliano Valdi, becomes the virtuosic lead singer of the Jackson 5, though much of his available time is spent on long, painful rehearsals. When the Jackson 5 hit big, they moved from Gary, Indiana, to Encino, California. As Michael grows older, he starts to make his own music and releases his first solo album in 1978. As the years go on, Michael starts to distance himself from the Jackson 5, which creates tension with his father.
The cast and acting are superb. Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle very well. The acting captures the emotion of the scene. Possibly the highlight of the movie is the music and choreography. When Jaafar sings, you can feel the emotion. Jaafar’s dancing captures the spirit of Michael, and that is where the movie excels.
It is a great movie; however, one problem with the movie is that it skips over some of the more turbulent times of Michael’s life. The movie does touch upon Michael’s abusive childhood; however, it is overshadowed by the moments of fame he had as a child. Some have criticized the movie for not mentioning the abuse allegations against Michael, yet those allegations did not occur within the timeline of the movie (1960s to 1987).
For fans of Michael Jackson, this is the movie to watch. The movie appreciates the music and life of Michael and is a testament to his lasting legacy.
