Movie Name : Michael
Release Date : April 24, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo
Director : Antoine Fuqua
Producers : Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Music Director : Lior Rosner
Cinematographer : Dion Beebe
Editors : Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross, John Ottman, Harry Yoon
Related Links : Trailer
The biopic of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is now out in theatres. Let’s see if the movie lived up to the expectations.
Story:
Michael tells the story of the pop icon who rose from Gary, Indiana. Michael (Jaafar Jackson), the youngest of the Jackson brothers, is believed by his mother to be a rare talent. After performing with the family band, the Jackson 5, for several years, he decides to go solo, but remains petrified of his strict father, Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo). The rest of the film chronicles the crucial events in Michael’s life.
Plus Points:
Michael Jackson has been part of our lives at some point, with his god-gifted voice and dance skills, and hence the enthusiasm for this biopic is surreal. Hence, we look forward to the real-life concerts and popular tracks of the legend, and this aspect has been delivered superbly. The one sequence that gives immense satisfaction is the recreation of the iconic ‘Thriller’ track, and scenes like these will make us revisit Jackson’s concert videos after the film.
Michael Jackson had a troubled childhood due to his strict father, who even whipped him with a belt. Because of his father’s harsh verbal insults and physical abuse, Michael creates a dreamlike world called ‘Neverland’ as he attempts to recapture his lost childhood, and this aspect helps the audience connect emotionally with the legend.
The scene where Michael conveys to his father during a concert that he will live his life the way he wants is superbly presented. Jaafar Jackson makes a phenomenal debut with an award-worthy act. His performance is A-rate, as he perfectly portrays the mannerisms and body language of Michael Jackson. He makes us feel the aura of the legend, and the way he performs the dance moves is simply brilliant. In the emotional scenes, Jaafar is terrific.
Colman Domingo is superb as the antagonist and makes us despise him through his performance. KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Miles Teller, and others deliver satisfactory performances. Juliano Krue Valdi, who played the young Michael, was adorable.
Minus Points:
Anyone who walks in to watch a biopic would want to know the ins and outs of that celebrity, including the negative aspects, and this is where Michael falters. The film doesn’t showcase the allegations and controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s life. Though a second part is likely, it still feels like watching a biopic that tells only half the story.
The pacing is initially a bit slow. There’s also an important aspect that lacks clarity. The film doesn’t show what the Jackson brothers were doing when Michael wasn’t around. Were they unhappy with their younger brother’s growth? Were their albums not performing well when Michael was on the rise? Even if we set aside the allegations, which may be explored in the second part, these aspects remain largely unaddressed.
Technical Aspects:
The usage of Michael Jackson’s iconic songs is the film’s biggest trump card. The production design by Barbara Ling and the costumes by Marci Rodgers recreate the bygone era flawlessly. Dion Beebe’s cinematography is stunning, with the concert sequences being a visual treat. The way the ‘Thriller’ track is captured feels magical. The film also moves at a faster pace in the second half.
Antoine Fuqua’s direction works well in parts, especially in the portions that celebrate the music icon. However, he should have addressed a few key elements, the absence of which slightly reduces the overall impact.
Verdict:
On the whole, Michael, the biographical film on the ‘King of Pop’, delivers a decent big-screen experience, backed by Jaafar Jackson’s first-rate performance, the recreation of Michael Jackson’s iconic tracks and concerts, and a few emotional moments. However, the absence of the controversial events from his life makes the biopic feel somewhat hollow in terms of subject matter, preventing it from reaching the next level. Nonetheless, it can be given a try, as there are worthy moments that make us relive the magic of the legend.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team