This film chronicles the rise of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson from his early years part of the Jackson 5 to his momentous solo career. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Juliano Valdi, Larenz Tate, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Kendrick Sampson, and Miles Teller. 

I enjoyed Michael. I thought it was fantastic. I saw it in IMAX and that is truly the best way to watch it. It felt like being at a concert. IMAX definitely enhanced the movie going experience. Jaafar Jackson does a great job as Michael Jackson. It was very believable. The rest of the cast does a great job as well. Juliano Valdi who plays the younger Michael Jackson also stood out as well. Both Michaels were believable. Nia Long and Colman Domingo were great as Michael’s parents. Colman Domingo had more screen time than Nia Long and he really was believable as Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson. Biopics are tricky. There are many components to nail a biopic. Casting is a big part of it. I was very impressed with how the whole cast in each role. There were no small parts. Every role was near perfection casting wise. 

Biopics for me can be hit or miss. I do find the genre fascinating, but it really depends on the subject matter. I am a fan of Michael Jackson, but I am not a diehard fan the way others are. I know a fair amount of his music and his story and was excited to see this version. One thing that I really enjoyed was the musical component of the film. It touches on different highlights throughout his career from the Jackson 5 to his solo career. It covers up to the 80s. In terms of how accurate the movie is to real life, I honestly don’t know what was fact and fiction. With biopics in general, I am not always looking for a one hundred percent factual movie. I know things take creative liberties. The initial impression I had while watching the movie was that it was fairly accurate. The movie also focuses more on the music side of things than the other things. It does focus on the tension with Michael and his father. A lot of the other stuff is kind of glossed over. In a way the movie plays like a greatest hits album touching on key points as opposed to going in depth on other things. Either way I was immersed in the film the entire time and that is very rare for me nowadays. It is even more so for a biopic. 

There has been some controversy over things the film left out. Given the timeline the movie is set in, it makes sense why some topics were not included. The movie goes up to the end of the 80s during his album Bad. Certain things did not happen until after that period. Also, the Jackson family was involved with this film, and it has already been reported that the film went through reshoots. I think fans of Michael Jackson and fans of music can enjoy the film for what it is and not get too bogged down by what topics it does or does not cover. If anything, the movie is a celebration of Michael Jackson’s music career. 

Michael is a fantastic music biopic and is very enjoyable. IMAX helped enhanced the experience pulling the audience in for the ride. There is the possibility of a sequel given where the film leads off. Whether that happens or not, this film is great on its own.