If you don’t like it, just beat it

The anticipated biopic of Michael Jackson, “Michael,” has received conflicting reviews regarding accuracy, but is the movie really that serious?

As the movie opened with “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” I was instantly transformed into his life and was on the edge of my seat. It wasn’t until after the movie I realized people weren’t impacted by the film as much as I was. 

Tomatometer-approved critic Sam Adams said in an online review, “The purpose of a biopic is to show us aspects of a public figure that the public never had access to, but Michael utterly fails at giving us any sense of who Jackson was behind closed doors.” 

Although I agree with Adams, I feel as if I did learn more about Michael that I didn’t know before. 

For instance, I was not aware of the heavy role Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, had in his career. Played by Colman Domingo, he is depicted as overcontrolling and manipulative, guilting Michael into tours and commercials with his brothers. 

In the film, Michael was hesitant on producing a commercial with Pepsi in 1984, which resulted in him obtaining a third-degree burn on his scalp. 

I was familiar with the incident but not the kindness he showed to other patients while he recovered at the hospital. Even while in pain, Michael depicted selflessness to patients and donated the $1.5 million he received from Pepsi to the hospital that treated him.

I feel that as a society, we see our favorite artists as machines made to produce art just for us, but scenes such as this truly showed Michael’s humanity. 

Jafar Jackson received criticism about playing Michael, with some fans believing he only got the role due to nepotism. But as persistence and dedication runs in the family, Jafar Jackson depicted Michael with grace. 

As some critics such as Adams believe the film fails at accurately portraying Michael, audience reactions differ. 

In a Letterboxd review, user Evan Solo said “This movie is everything I could’ve dreamed of.” 

I have to wholeheartedly agree with Solo, as I have anticipated this movie since it was first announced in February 2022. Maybe I’m biased, but as I saw the production of the “Thriller” music video I was reminded of a time when I was little. I was so mesmerized by the storytelling done through music that I’d watch it before bed for a week straight, even if it gave me nightmares. 

I did not only watch the movie, I felt and listened to the history of an artist who has impacted the music industry with his persistence and creativity. 

The movie ended with “His Story Continues” displayed on screen, insinuating a sequel, but it has not yet been confirmed. 

The film may not have been for everyone, but I know you were fighting the urge to moonwalk as Billie Jean played.