Review: MICHAEL Is an Electrifying, Music-Fueled Celebration of the King of Pop’s Rise

I finally had the opportunity to watch Michael, the long-awaited biopic about Michael Jackson, and this isn’t just another music biopic for me. This one hit on a personal level.

I grew up spinning Thriller on repeat like it was oxygen when I was a kid, so walking into this movie felt like stepping back into a huge part of my childhood. What I got was an energetic, emotional, sometimes messy, but totally captivating experience that had me locked in from start to finish.

The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, focuses on the early years of Jackson’s life, from his days with the Jackson 5 up through his rise as a global phenomenon. It doesn’t try to cover everything, and honestly, I think that works in its favor here.

This is very much about the making of a legend. the making of the King of Pop. You see the hunger, the discipline, the pressure, and the insane level of talent that pushed him into another stratosphere. It plays like a highlight reel of greatness, and as a fan, I was eating it up.

Now let’s talk about Jaafar Jackson, because WOW… this guy didn’t just play Michael, he became him. I’m not exaggerating. There were moments where I completely forgot I was watching an actor.

The voice, the movements, the presence, it’s all there. It’s kind of crazy and awesome how naturally he slips into the role, and knowing he’s Michael’s nephew adds this extra layer of authenticity that you can actually feel on screen. This wasn’t imitation. This was embodiment.

The music sequences are where the film really comes alive. Every iconic beat, every dance move, every performance moment just hits all the feels. It’s like being dropped into a live concert mixed with a cinematic retelling of pop history.

I found myself smiling like a kid during certain scenes because it brought back so many memories of watching listening to Michael’s music, and watching those music videos he made over and over again. The film leans heavily into celebrating the music and art of Michael.

That said, yeah, I get why some critics are pushing back on it. This isn’t a deep investigative look into every corner of Jackson’s life. It’s not trying to be that, though. It leans more into honoring his artistry than dissecting the controversies.

If you’re going in expecting something like a hard-hitting exposé, you’re watching the wrong movie. This is a love letter to the music and the man’s early rise. And for me, that worked. But, there is a sequel in development that is said to address those controversies.

The supporting cast also deserves some credit. Colman Domingo brings a layered intensity to Joe Jackson that really adds weight to those family dynamics. You feel the pressure Michael was under, and it’s not pretty.

Then you’ve got Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, who brings warmth and emotional grounding to the story. Their performances help balance out the spectacle with something more human and grounded.

Emotionally, this movie got me. I’m not even gonna pretend it didn’t. There’s something about seeing those early struggles and triumphs play out visually that hits differently than just reading about it.

It’s nostalgia mixed with admiration and a little bit of heartbreak. I felt all of it, and a part of that is definitely because I grew up with this music, but that connection just made the experience even stronger.

At the end of the day, Michael isn’t perfect, but I don’t care. I had an absolute blast with it. It entertained the hell out of me, it made me feel something, and it reminded me why I was such a fan of Michael Jackson and why he became the biggest pop star on the planet.

If you’re a fan, I honestly don’t see how you walk out of this disappointed. I’m already hyped for the sequel because if this is just the beginning, there’s a lot more story left to tell.