Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo and Miles Teller
‘Brilliant Biopic’
When it comes to singers that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Michael Jackson. Born to be a famous star years ago, Jackson composed iconic songs which were far from shallow. On a personal level, I find the singer that thrilled fans relatable. I vividly remember bonding with a friend that had dreams to become a singer. A musician with strong commitment, he had natural talent for playing every instrument. Shining a bright ray of light amidst darkness, music contributed towards his happiness. Not since Elvis Presley had I ever seen anybody that loved composing music so passionately. Fond of the guitar, he seemed born to become a star. People would always rejoice when they had chances to hear his beautiful voice. Forming his own rock band, he had tremendous dreams of being a musician he planned. Like Michael Jackson, his ambition was to become a famous musician. Wanting to be starting something, I enjoyed spending time with a friend that loved singing. A divine musician that would walk the line, his love for singing didn’t seem to decline. However, drug addiction destroyed his dreams forever. Just when he had become almost famous, dangerous drug addiction impacted his passion for music he considered precious. After he was busted by his college for illegal drugs that he distributed, his dreams of becoming a celebrated singer deteriorated. As he became a smooth criminal with a bad name, he lost interest in achieving fame. Unable to beat it, he formed a bad habit of substance abuse that proved impossible to quit. Longing for yesterday, I yearned for a time in the past when my friend had songs to play. Looking back with sorrow, I treasure a companion that never achieved dreams of becoming a maestro. Years later, I treasure a commemorated singer that reminds me of a friend whose long-lasting passion for music I will forever treasure.
As someone treasuring a friend that had the voice of an angel, I loved “Michael”. Released in 2026, Antoine Fuqua’s movie honoured Michael Jackson’s legacy. Packed with breathtaking concerts, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant music biopic. At the centre of it all is Jaafar Jackson, who embodies the iconic musician. Although “Michael” is a riveting biopic, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from an abrupt ending without resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of Michael Jackson.
“Michael” tells the true story of a superstar that’s special. Jaafar Jackson portrays Michael Jackson, a young man with ambition to become a musician. Raised by a demanding father (Colman Domingo), Michael wonders if he can achieve dreams he wants to follow. However, Michael’s life changes when he is given chances to become a singer. As he faces obstacles proving tragic, Michael questions whether he will maintain passion for music.
Antoine Fuqua is a newcomer to the music biopic genre. A fantastic African-American filmmaker, Fuqua has made engaging movies about black communities facing danger. His iconic film “Training Day” offered powerful portraits of black police-officers seeking a way in L.A. With “Michael”, however, Fuqua created his first ever musical biopic. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour legacy of a musician that’s legendary but he succeeds. Evoking Bradley Cooper’s “A Star is Born”, Fuqua effectively uses handheld camera capturing a musician being born. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the music rehearsal scene. During this unforgettable scene, Michael records songs in his studio. It brought back fond memories of a friend that loved composing melodies. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Taylor Hackford’s “Ray” suggested, handheld camerawork elevates biopics about blind musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Fuqua honours a musician that’s inspiring.
Another admirable aspect of “Michael” is the production. Like a beauty queen from a movie scene, the film features stunning concerts that demand to be seen on the big-screen. Evoking James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”, Fuqua uses live-singing to recreate Michael Jackson’s iconic music performances. For instance, live-singing elevates the exhilarating Bad concert scene. During this unforgettable scene, Michael Jackson delivers performances of the song “Bad” at a sold-out concert. It reminded me about my friend’s talent performing celebrated concerts audiences always appreciated. Live-singing is a tricky technique. As Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” suggested, live-singing elevates movies about famous rock bands. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film an intense atmosphere honouring a singer whose music people loved to hear. Through extraordinary production, Fuqua honours a legendary musician.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Michael” is a biopic that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most music biopics rarely address the struggles experienced by musicians that are misunderstood. For instance, Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” depicted Freddie Mercury as a flawless musician without addressing his homosexuality. Thankfully, however, “Michael” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis”, Fuqua effectively uses flashbacks to capture the troubled childhood of a singer that people cherish. The film switches between two timelines: Michael Jackson’s career as a singer in the 1980’s and flashbacks of his troubled childhood. For instance, flashbacks elevate the father abuse scene. During this harrowing scene, Michael recounts traumatic memories being abused by his father as a child. It reminded me of my friend’s drug addiction causing dreams of being a musician to become deteriorated. Flashbacks are tricky techniques. As Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” suggested, flashbacks elevate biopics about composers. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Fuqua honours a musician that’s beloved today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jaafar Jackson delivers a star-making performance as Michael Jackson. In his first ever leading role, Jackson transforms into a legendary musician that demonstrates strong vocal control. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a legendary musician but he succeeds tremendously. Not only does Jackson bear a striking physical resemblance towards the legendary musician but he embodies his larger-than-life personality. With riveting expressions, he captures the ambition, passion and strong spirit of a musician that created timeless compositions. It’s a phenomenal performance that honours a legendary musician’s legacy.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Jackson, the supporting cast is also worthy of appreciation. Colman Domingo is captivating, capturing strict personality of a father that pushes his son to follow his dreams causing sorrow. Miles Teller is magnificent, bringing out the charismatic nature of a manager that seeks to secure Michael Jackson’s future. Lastly, Nia Long merits appreciation. As Michael Jackson’s mother, she is unforgettable.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Michael” can’t honour a musician that’s special. Fuqua’s decisions to integrate subplots about Michael Jackson’s animals into the movie bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Michael Jackson’s bond with pet animals aren’t as engaging as his musical journey. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, subplots about animals elevate horror movies. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s an abrupt conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a resolution. At worst, it perpetuates misleading messages about Michael Jackson’s personal life that aren’t true to reality. Whereas this sentimental ending elevated Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. Therefore, “Michael” can’t quite honour the legacy of a legendary musician that people adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Michael Jackson will definitely enjoy “Michael” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A magnificent music biopic, it celebrates a world-famous musician that’s iconic.
Nearly 50 years after Michael Jackson sang timeless melodies becoming a world-famous musician, it’s a thrilling tribute towards a singer with a reputation whose songs deserve to be depicted in movies earning appreciation.
As strong as Michael Jackson’s love for singing, it has inspired me to move on many years after parting way with a musically inclined friend wanting to be starting something suffering from devastating drug addiction that gave me a lifelong passion for commemorated music having a positive effect on my well-being.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 