Official Trailer
Rating: 7.6/10 | Genre: Music, Drama | Runtime: 128 min
Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller
I went into “Michael” expecting the usual biopic formula, and honestly, I got mostly what I expected. But there’s enough here to make it worth watching if you’re curious about Michael Jackson’s life beyond the headlines.
Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle, and right away you notice how comfortable he is in the role. He doesn’t do an impression or lean too hard into the mannerisms. It feels natural, which matters because you’re spending two hours with this guy. Colman Domingo shows up as someone close to Michael, and he brings real warmth to the film. The chemistry between them actually makes you care about what’s happening on screen.
What Works
The movie does a solid job showing Michael’s transition from the Jackson Five to going solo. There’s a moment where you really feel the weight of being a kid superstar, then having to break free and prove yourself as an adult artist. That conflict is interesting. The film doesn’t shy away from showing how his father’s expectations shaped him, and those scenes hit different.
The performance sequences are great. They’re not just concert footage either. They’re woven into the story in a way that actually moves things forward. When Michael’s doing something on stage, it’s because it matters to the plot, not just because they wanted a music video break.
At 128 minutes, the pacing stays pretty tight. It doesn’t feel bloated, which is saying something for a biopic.
Where It Struggles
Here’s the thing though. The film tries to walk a careful line about Michael’s personal life, and sometimes that caution works against it. There are moments where you can feel the story pulling back, like it’s nervous about going too deep into certain topics. That’s frustrating because those are usually the parts that make a biopic actually interesting.
Miles Teller’s in this movie and honestly, I’m not even sure what his character was doing half the time. His scenes feel disconnected from everything else happening. Nia Long is there too, but the film doesn’t give her much to do. It’s a waste of solid actors.
The second half loses some steam. Once Michael reaches a certain level of success, the movie kind of plateaus. It’s like the filmmakers weren’t sure how to sustain tension when their subject is already at the top.
The Verdict
“Michael” is a competent biopic that does what it sets out to do without breaking any new ground. If you want to understand Michael Jackson’s rise and some of the pressures he faced, this will get you there. The performances are good enough that you’ll stay invested even when the script plays it safe.
It’s not the deep dive I was hoping for, but it’s not a waste of time either. Solid middle-of-the-road entertainment with some genuinely moving moments.
Have you seen it? What did you think? Did it feel like it told you anything new about Michael Jackson, or did you leave wanting more?
Where to Watch
Buy on: CosmoGo
