This week marks the theatrical release of one of the most anticipated films of the year: Michaelthe biopic that invites us to discover “the birth of a king”.
The biographical film is fortunate to have a great director, such as Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer), a great screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall), and the film debut of two actors for whom we wish much success: Jaafar JacksonMichael's nephew in real life, playing the adult version, and Juliano Powergiving life to Michael in his 8-year-old version.
The film opens with a scene to the rhythm of “Wanna Be Startin' Something”, in which Michael is about to give the concert of his life, while something warns us from now on: The cost of getting there has been enormous..
The image dissolves and time rewinds, and we are transported to witness the cost, as well as the creation of who would become the greatest musical idol of all time.
Like other biopics of superstars, such as the case of Rocketman about Elton John, Love & Mercy sobre Brian Wilson y los Beach Boys, o Walk the Line about Johnny Cash, the plot relies heavily on a narrative that addresses the tragedies, ups and downs and triumphs of the story's central figure, after all… what would light be without the darkness?
However, many times the impact on the audience will depend on the extent to which the feature film is willing to show the harsh reality beneath a figure loved by millions of people around the world.
HOW FAR DOES IT GO MICHAEL?
We are getting out of the way what many critics have been emphasizing and for which they have been rating the project poorly: Michael does not address the controversial accusations against Michael Jackson of child abuse.
And there is a good reason behind it.
In a recent extensive report from Variety, it was explained that the biopic had to modify its original third act in which addressed the accusationsafter lawyers for Jackson's estate, who are involved as producers, became aware of the existence of a legal clause from one of the singer's accusers, Jordan Chandler, that prohibited his representation or mention in any film. Therefore, a rewriting of the third act was carried out and reshoots with a cost between $10 million to $15 million dollars, focused on a new ending.
That is why Michael ends in 1988 –with the promise of continuing the story in a sequel– while the first accusation against him, made by Chandler, was in 1993, leading to an investigation that ended in a civil lawsuit resolved in 1994.
The producer, Graham King, believes that the material from the original cut, lasting more than 3 and a half hours, is enough to continue the story in one more film, focusing on the 90s and 2000s. What is not yet clear is how the possible sequel would handle the legal battles, with the existence of a prohibition clause.
THE FATHER-SON DYNAMIC IS THE MAIN MOTOR
Which Michael What he can do, and he does very well, is allow us a captivating retrospective to his early years, with a young Valdi impressive and moving, like a little Michael in his beginnings with the Jackson 5.
The first act takes us to the Jacksons' childhood in Gary, Indiana, where patriarch Joseph (Colman Domingo) discovers the musical talent of his children, and understands that therein lies the best future he dreams for the whole family. But the authoritarian Joe often beats Michael, while forcing his children to rehearse relentlessly. And although it is not mentioned or shown in the film, it is publicly known that Joe also “physically disciplined” the rest of his children. His abuse was detailed in interviews with the Jackson brothers as adults.
And with the limitation of legal issues, Michael makes the wise decision to center his narrative on the father-son dynamicalso making it clear that the excessive control that Joe wants to have over his son is what ends up becoming what motivates the superstar to follow his own path.
Another point in favor of Michaeles its success in faithfully recreating the image of its protagonist. This is because Jackson's nephew Jaafar plays the lead role with an uncanny resemblance, not only in his voice and features, but in his dancing.
The script allows us to know some nooks and crannies of the King of Pop: his deep loneliness and their wacky coping mechanisms to manage your emotional state. There are also points in common with those who wish to vindicate Jackson's legacy as an artist, after the controversies that overshadowed his final years.
It is, without a doubt, a film for fans; It's music-centered, moving, and nostalgic, with Jackson's music everywhere, gathering interpretations, revealing how they emerged, and at what cost. It doesn't go too deep, but it does have a lot of style.
For the most fans, the plot is full of easter eggs that you are going to love.
But be careful, It's a movie for fans yesbut, It's not just for fans. Whether you consider yourself one or not, this is also an enjoyable film for the casual audience, and that, is a MAJOR achievement of the film; the other is probably getting convey Jackson's immeasurable reach as an artista phenomenon we may never experience again. Michael Jackson was an artist who transcended cultures, languages and colors, and who had the world at his feet.
Qualification:
TECHNICAL SHEET
Original title: Michael
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Screenwriter: John Logan
List: Jaafar Jackson, Juliano Valdi, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Kendrick Sampson, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Larenz Tate, Laura Harrier
Producers: Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Executive producers: Antoine Fuqua, David B. Householter, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Prince Jackson, Tito Jackson, Hayley King, Karen Langford, Jordan Schur, Lydia Silverman
Distributor: Lionsgate (USA), Universal Pictures (international)
Cinema release: April 24, 2026
Trailer:
Source: https://cine3.com/critica-pelicula-biografica-michael-jackson-2026/
