Michael

Saw Michael, a Michael Jackson biopic.

My expectation was not very high. Reviews from film critics were rather cold and the fact that some of his family members refused to involve in the making didn’t sound right. Nobody wants their heroes to be reduced to a terrible motion picture. This would easily become just another sugar-coated, forgettable tale in the canon.

I was wrong. In fact, it completely blew my mind. Jaafar Jackson was astonishing to say the least. What you’ll see is not someone impersonating Michael, you’ll see Michael himself. His commitment to his role reminded me of Austin Butler’s incredible performance as Elvis Presley. So convincing he makes you forget you’re watching a biopic (what, Tom Hanks was in it?). Juliano Valdi who played little MJ was also brilliant. Both of them actually sang some a cappella bits and how well they blended in with Michael’s voice was magnificent. Having these two gems alone makes this film stand out among others.

Having said that, it’s a real shame that his siblings’ absence is casting a shadow on it. It’s so weird that there was not a single trace of Janet as if she were never born. No Randy in the Jacksons and LaToya was the only girl in the film. Where’s Rebbie? There were very little brotherhood in the narrative. It’s either Michael or “other brothers”.

Other thing that bothered me was Bubbles. Too CGI he never looked natural. For a moment I thought I was watching a live action Disney film and waiting for him to turn into an elephant. He was on the screen for only a few minutes. Bringing real animals for movies is that difficult nowadays.

All in all, it’s well-balanced. It covers most of the crucial parts of his life someone who is not familiar with MJ need to know. I’m so glad that, however briefly, his skin condition (vitiligo) was mentioned and the portrayal of his father was just fine. It’s a family film after all.

There really should be a sequel. Otherwise, this film would lost its meaning. The purpose of Michael, in my opinion, is giving people the opportunity to find out who the King of Pop truly was, to see a man beyond all those gossips and why he was preyed on by vultures around him. In order to do that, a full story of his life has to be told. The good thing about biopics is that they can reach wider audience than documentaries. If this film helps the most misunderstood person on earth to be re-evaluated in the right way, then it’s a triumph.