The movie “Michael” tells the story of Michael Jackson and how he became one of the world’s most famous artists.
The film shows his early life in the Jackson 5 and follows his rise to solo fame. Overall, the movie is interesting and emotional, but it also feels a little one-sided at times.
In my opinion, the strongest part of the movie is the acting, and the similarities to the real characters represented is uncanny. Jaafar Jackson does a really good job playing Michael, since he is actually related to him; his performance feels more real and natural.
“Michael” also includes a lot of music, which makes it fun to watch. Songs like his biggest hits are performed in a way that makes the audience feel like they are at a concert.
The direction by Antoine Fuqua helps bring Michael’s story to life in a dramatic way. The scenes are visually appealing, and the transitions between different stages of his life are smooth. However, some parts of the movie feel rushed, especially during important moments in his career.
I had always been invested in his story, so there were parts that they had left out that I was sure I’d see going in. So, that felt unfinished to me, and the movie could thrive with more in-depth detail.
One thing people may notice is that the movie mostly focuses on the positive parts of Michael Jackson’s life. It highlights his talent, fame, and struggles with pressure, but it does not go very deep into the controversies surrounding him. Because of this, the movie can feel a little incomplete.
Some viewers might think this makes the story easier to watch, but personally, it felt to me like important details were missing.
“It was so good… my family grew up listening to him, and I had always known he had a hard life, so I was nervous going in that it would make me sad,” Ruby Shaffer ‘28 said.
Overall, Michael is an entertaining movie that fans will probably enjoy, especially because of the music and strong acting. However, it may not fully satisfy viewers who are looking for a more detailed and balanced story.
