Michael Review: This Michael Jackson Hagiography Is A Masterclass In Sugar-Coated, Santised, Shallow Biopics

• What’s Inside: We’re chatting about the new Michael Jackson movie.
• Does it tell the whole story?
• What did we think of Jaafar Jackson’s performance?

We just saw the reviews for the new Michael Jackson movie, and wow, there’s a lot to talk about. Apparently, the movie is being called a “masterclass in sugar-coated, sanitised, shallow biopics.” Ouch!

It seems like the film really focuses on the King of Pop’s music and his incredible talent. The vibe is all about celebrating his highs. But here’s the thing:

The big child abuse allegations and all the other controversies? They’re not exactly ignored. They’re just… not touched at all. It’s like they’re pretending those parts of his life didn’t happen, which feels pretty strange for a biopic, right?

And what about Jaafar Jackson, who plays his famous uncle? The reviews say he’s a bit inconsistent. So, visually, it might be stunning, but the storytelling is getting a big side-eye from us.

Our Take

Look, we love a good celebration of talent. But when you’re telling someone’s life story, especially one as complex as Michael Jackson’s, we think you have to be brave. Skipping over the difficult, uncomfortable parts feels like a missed opportunity to truly understand the whole picture. Art should reflect reality, even the messy bits, don’t you think?