In one sentence: Michael is a biopic charting Michael Jackson’s rise from child star to global icon that focuses on his musical genius and early life.

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There has been significant anticipation surrounding the Michael Jackson biopic, not only for its scale, but for what it chooses to include or exclude. Once the biggest star in the world, Jackson remains a figure defined by both extraordinary talent and lasting controversy.

The film follows Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson) through his early life and career, building towards a performance of Bad in 1988. We see his beginnings with the Jackson 5, guided and controlled by his strict father Joseph (Colman Domingo), whose treatment of Michael is shown to be both demanding, relentless and abusive. As the group rises to fame, the film presents a young boy shaped by pressure and expectation, finding comfort in watching old films with his mother (Nia Long) and reading stories such as Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz. As he grows older, Michael begins to assert himself, working with Quincy Jones (Kendrick Sampson) on Off the Wall and later achieving global superstardom with the support of John Branca (Miles Teller) with Thriller.

Where the film truly excels is in its recreation of Michael Jackson’s performances. Jaafar Jackson delivers an extraordinary portrayal, capturing not only the movement and voice, but the presence that made his uncle such a compelling performer. The choreography is precise, the mannerisms feel authentic and at times it is difficult to separate performance from reality. His vocal work, blended at points with Michael Jackson’s original recordings, enhances this further, creating a convincing and immersive experience. Beyond the performances, he also holds his own in the film’s more dramatic moments, particularly in scenes exploring Michael’s relationship with his parents. In one particular scene when he is lying in hospital, it is hard to believe it is not the real Michael Jackson on the screen.

Juliano Valdi is equally impressive as the young Michael, bringing both energy and emotional weight to the role. Colman Domingo delivers a powerful performance as Joseph Jackson, presenting a deeply dislikeable figure whose relentless ambition and control over his children casts a long shadow. His portrayal adds significant emotional weight to the film, highlighting the lasting impact of Michael’s childhood. There are also lighter touches, including a brief cameo from Mike Myers, which echoes his appearance in Bohemian Rhapsody.

The film places strong emphasis on Michael’s childhood and the way his upbringing shaped him. He is shown as someone who was never allowed to experience a normal life, first because of his father’s demands and later because of his fame. He comes across as kind, creative and often isolated, relying heavily on those closest to him, particularly his mother and his many exotic wild animal, including Bubbles the chimpanzee. However, the film avoids engaging with the more controversial aspects of his life. While this may be a deliberate choice and there are suggestions of a continuation, it leaves a noticeable gap in the overall portrait.

There is no shortage of music and the film leans heavily into Jackson’s catalogue. With so many iconic songs, it is understandable that the focus remains on performance and fans will find plenty to enjoy. However, this emphasis occasionally comes at the expense of deeper exploration, leaving certain aspects feeling underdeveloped.

Visually, the film is impressive. The attention to detail in recreating performances and environments is remarkable and the cinematography brings a sense of scale and energy that matches its subject. Despite its length, it remains engaging throughout and never feels as though it drags.

Ultimately, Michael is an entertaining and well-crafted biopic that celebrates the music and talent of one of the most iconic performers in history. It captures the spectacle and the scale of his rise, even if it stops short of fully exploring the complexity of the man behind it. The movie is compelling look at the rise of an icon.

★★★★ (4/5)