The new biopic Michael has finally hit theatres, and it’s already one of the most talked-about music films of the year… for a few different reasons.
On the surface, the movie does exactly what fans would hope. It follows Michael Jackson from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his rise to global superstardom, with a heavy focus on the music, the performances, and the moments that made him iconic.
And that’s where the film really shines. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, has been widely praised for how closely he captures the look, voice, and especially the movement. The concert scenes, the recreations of moments like Thriller and Billie Jean, those are the highlights, and for fans, that alone makes it worth watching.
But the film is also getting a lot of criticism, mainly for what it doesn’t include.
It largely avoids the more controversial and complicated parts of Jackson’s life, ending its story around the late ’80s and leaving out major events that shaped his legacy.
Critics have called it a “sanitized” version of his story, more focused on celebrating the legend than exploring the full picture.
What’s interesting though… is that despite mixed reviews, the movie is a massive success at the box office, pulling in over $200 million globally in its opening run.
So, in a lot of ways, Michael ends up being exactly what you’d expect, a visually impressive, music-driven experience that leans heavily into nostalgia and performance… but stops short of digging into the more complicated side of one of the most complex figures in music history.
And depending on what you’re looking for, that’s either exactly what you want, or exactly what’s missing.
