"Michael" – dammit where's Janet?

Review: ⭐⭐

If you’re looking for a high-octane celebration of the King of Pop’s unparalleled artistry, "Michael" delivers. However, if you’re looking for a balanced portrait of a complex, deeply troubled man, you might find this cinematic experience a bit lopsided.

Let’s start with the undisputed highlights: the music and the performance. The film is an absolute sonic feast. From the early Motown soul of the Jackson 5 to the world-shattering pop anthems of his debut solo album "Off The Wall" to the Thriller and Bad eras, the tunes are the heartbeat of the movie. The choreography is recreated with breathtaking precision, reminding us why the world couldn't take its eyes off him.

Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of his uncle is nothing short of uncanny. It’s more than just a physical resemblance; he captures the whispery vulnerability and the explosive, kinetic energy of Michael on stage. It is a transformative performance that carries the film through its slower beats.

While the acting is good, the script takes a noticeably safe path. The film leans heavily into hagiography, treating its subject as a flawless icon rather than a human being. The film is produced by the Jackson estate, so there's lots of (forgive the expression) whitewashing. Plus, real people are missing in this version of the universe. Dammit, where's Janet?

The most difficult and controversial chapters of Jackson's life are either glossed over with a shimmering coat of sentimentality or omitted entirely. By framing the story through a lens of constant victimhood or misunderstood genius, the film loses the friction that makes a biography truly compelling. At times "Michael" feels more like a PR exercise than a deep dive.

While the film acknowledges the scars his father Joe left behind, it ultimately uses this trauma to justify Michael’s later eccentricities, further leaning into the hagiographic tone. By painting his father as the primary source of all future difficulties, the film avoids asking harder questions about Michael's own choices as an adult.

"Michael" is a concert film and a nostalgic trip. It’s a tribute to a legacy, but it stops short of being a brave or honest biography. You’ll leave the cinema humming the hits, even if you feel like you only heard half the story.