You already know the story, but Michael still finds a way to make you feel it all over again.
Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a fan-friendly, family-approved portrait of Michael Jackson that leans into the music, the magic, and the myth, while largely sidestepping the controversy.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the film does not tackle the child abuse allegations that have long shadowed Jackson’s legacy. Instead, it focuses on his rise, from a Motown child prodigy to global superstardom, wrapping up around the Bad era. For some viewers, that omission will feel like a glaring gap. For others, it’s beside the point.
Because what Michael does capture, is the emotional undercurrent beneath the spectacle. This isn’t just a greatest-hits montage (though you’ll get plenty of those). It’s a story about a gifted, driven, and deeply complicated artist trying to break free from the grip of a controlling father.
Colman Domingo brings intensity and menace to Joe Jackson, while Nia Long offers warmth as Katherine, the mother caught in the middle. But it’s Jaafar Jackson who carries the film, and honestly, he’s the reason to see it.
In his first major role, he doesn’t just resemble his uncle, he channels him. The voice, the precision, the vulnerability – it’s all there. He captures that delicate balance that made Michael both otherworldly and painfully human.
On KFI’s Gary and Shannon, we talk about how the film leans into nostalgia, recreating iconic moments and reminding audiences why Jackson’s influence still looms so large today. As one takeaway makes clear: even decades later, fans aren’t letting go of that music anytime soon.
Is it a complete portrait? Not even close. But it is an engaging, surprisingly soulful one. And with a closing note hinting “his story continues,” don’t be surprised if Hollywood isn’t done telling it just yet.
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